Adverse Events with Volumetrics
Dr. Barbara Rolls is a well respected nutritionist in the United States. Volumetrics reflects her passion and expertise. It is a balanced and nutritious diet that is easy to follow.
The meaning of the term "Volumetrics" has been around for sometime. I can remember my Dad talking about eating foods with high "moisture" content. The concept of food volume as a means to lose weight quickly fell out of favor and was replaced by fat content. Just within the last 2-3 years food volume has made a comeback.
It is important for consumers to understand that there are only a few clinical trials for weight experts to draw conclusions from and make appropriate recommendations.
For instance, it is my opinion that losing weight is not your problem. I prefer to study why you gained weight and look for solutions to keep it from happening again. That's why I make many references to muscle.
As you age, you lose muscle and gain weight. I judge a weight loss product from that perspective: does the product cause muscle loss? If so, that is not a healthy weight loss product.
I recommend that you find a professional you like and stick with her. As long as "balanced nutrition" is in some way apart of her philosophy, you'll be in good hands.
This is a good diet despite two potential problems I discuss in this article. Some may agree and some may disagree, but that is the reason for this article--debate and exchange of ideas.
Volumetrics is not New
Volumetrics utilizes food volume (water content) as a way to restrict calories. In general, foods with high water content are less energy dense. Filling up on high volume, low energy dense foods to help you lose weight has two potential problems.
Volumetrics is NOT a variation of the Atkins Diet. Dr. Rolls outlines a weight loss plan that if followed properly will lead to fat loss. Weight loss by losing fat and keeping muscle - that's a good diet.
It's Just Water
The easy way to critique the diet is to suggest that drinking water with each meal is practicing Volumetrics. I actually do drink 2-3 glasses of water with each meal and it does keep me from over-feeding.
I think it's fair to say, that the water content of food plays a bigger role in Volumetrics than fat and fiber. This means that weight loss is from calorie restriction. Losing weight by eating less will cause your body to lose both fat and muscle. This is not the optimal way to lose weight. The only acceptable mechanism for weight reduction is by utilizing stored fat. Muscle should be preserved.
Calorie restriction by itself, is not an ideal way to lose weight.
Losing fat and not muscle requires the right combination and ratio of fat to protein, not just calorie restriction.
Dr. Rolls said, "Foods with a high water content have a big impact on satiety. But you can't simply drink lots of water, which quenches thirst without sating hunger."
She continues, "Why is water so helpful in controlling calories? It dilutes the calories in a given amount of food."
Actually, this might be another problem and not a benefit. With diluted calories, volume is up and you become full before consuming an appropriate amount of calories, vitamins, and minerals.
Eating the correct ratio of fat to protein is critical in this type of diet, if you want to prevent weight gain. A diet's primary purpose is to set up an internal environment that slows the process of gaining weight with age. Severe restriction of calories is a bad approach to preventing weight gain.
There is no doubt in my mind that you can eat less and feel full. Food has volume, mainly from it's water content. Weight loss in this manner really comes down to restricting calories to a very low level. Rarely does that result in healthy weight loss.
Remember, a good diet prevents weight gain by preserving muscle. Active muscle tissue is your best protection from gaining weight. In short, lose weight by losing fat and keep it off by preserving muscle.
"Volumetrics will teach you how to consume fewer calories while enjoying a satisfying portion of food." Introduction to Dr. Rolls new book, Volumetrics.
How far individuals push the calorie restriction is something to watch. If you consume fewer calories without the correct ratio of macronutrients, you will lose muscle. If you lose muscle, the diet failed at its primary objective of preventing weight gain.
Volumetrics is not designed to severely restrict calories. I just recognize it as a potential problem.
Volumetrics - A Clear Path to the Atkins Diet
This is not a potential or possible outcome, it's real and personal for me.
I tried a volumetric diet a few years ago. I don't remember how or when it happened but eventually I was eating nothing but meat.
If this happens to a significant number of dieters on Volumetrics, the diet would no longer be healthy. Weight loss the Atkins' way involves to some extent muscle loss.
Despite the high level of circulating amino acids in the bloodstream of an Atkins' dieter, the ketosis induces a catabolic state that rapidly breaks down muscle.
This state of targeted catabolism has lasting effects beyond the initial ketosis that started it. This is a significant problem for Volumetrics.
Volumetrics - One Last Point
Volumetrics is a nutritious diet. It has a couple of potential problems but all diets do.
The publisher said it pretty well, "Volumetrics is designed to help you lose weight safely, effectively, and permanently without feeling hungry or deprived...
...Dr. Barbara Rolls, who holds the endowed Guthrie Chair in Nutrition at Pennsylvania State University, has spent more than twenty years researching hunger and obesity and the factors that determine how we eat."
My last point starts with the following paragraph from Dr. Rolls book:
"Satiety is the missing ingredient in weight management. Cut calories by simply eating less, and you'll feel hungry and deprived. You may be able to stick to such a diet for the short term, but to become successful at lifelong weight management, you'll need an eating pattern that lets you feel full with fewer calories."
I agree completely. But I have one point to add. As long as you continue to eat nutrient poor food (processed foods without vitamins and minerals), the drive to over-feed will not stop.
Your body will continue to over-feed to get the vitamins and minerals it needs to function.
Conclusion
Article by Dr. Michael A. Smith, physician and medical consultant. Dr. Smith trained under two Nobel Learettes in fat and cholesterol metabolism at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School, in Dallas.
His book on dieting and weight loss, Natural Body Allies is due out in April, 2005.
Please visit his content rich website at http://www.weight-loss-professional.com
Send comments to http://www.weight-loss-professional.com
The first rule for successful weight loss and weight maintenance... Read More
Once there were these two Nuns and they...just kidding! Do... Read More
FINDING THE PERFECT DIETArriving at the Perfect Diet is no... Read More
I get asked all the time, "what do you think... Read More
Losing weight on hips and thighs has always been a... Read More
If you're like me, you probably wish that there was... Read More
Acupuncture for weight loss is a modern application of this... Read More
If you're a low carb diet enthusiast, you've probably tried... Read More
False campaignsMore than 50 percent of Americans and Canadians are... Read More
Generally, weight loss surgery such as the gastric bypass will... Read More
negative calorie effect in foodsWhatever food we eat,... Read More
Good health is an invaluable bliss and you cannot simply... Read More
The chemistry sounds very straightforward. Human body fat is a... Read More
If anyone knows anything about fitness, it's that a low... Read More
In our never ending search for the illusive "Fountain of... Read More
I know how difficult it can be do stick to... Read More
There is no such thing as spot reducing. Any fat... Read More
Obesity is a disease that is not caused by a... Read More
This is a perfect example of how on-line weight loss... Read More
Its crowded..really crowded..every other site offers Weight Loss Programs and... Read More
Frankly, I'm puzzled whenever I hear this from somebody who's... Read More
When was the last time you focused so much on... Read More
One thing's for sure, in this day & age, if... Read More
A startling fact is that carbohydrates are not responsible for... Read More
One of the greatest tricks that I use to stick... Read More
Granger limo Chicago ..The humble soybean boasts some extraordinary benefits. This nutritional powerhouse... Read More
A common claim from gastric bypass detractors is that after... Read More
There have been endless numbers of fad diets over the... Read More
Are you considering a low carb diet? If so you... Read More
Before you try starving yourself or turning to diet drugs... Read More
The Sour Truth -------------------------- Question: I had a baby 6... Read More
Summer is about to be in full swing, and it's... Read More
Ready for a hardcore diet to get lean in a... Read More
Are you sick of the hype? Wondering what diet products... Read More
My name is Greg Ryan and I am a high... Read More
Abdominal liposuction refers to liposuction, or lipoplasty, that is performed... Read More
Patrick Henry once said, "I have but one lamp by... Read More
Lousy Reasons to Lose Weight"I want to be a size... Read More
Are you one of the 90 million Americans who are... Read More
Use these tips to turbo charge your weight loss program.Take... Read More
Rejuvenation and the Protein Revolution in Your Kitchen?2003 Marilyn DiamondIf... Read More
There are many factors responsible for abdominal fat like processed... Read More
You may be considering a low carb diet program, but... Read More
Do you know that while you work out the muscles... Read More
America is getting more obese every year. Even our children... Read More
Are you feeling down and out? Do you feel even... Read More
To understand how surgical procedures aid the grossly overweight person... Read More
This little known secret has been used by bodybuilders for... Read More
CancerCoronary heart diseaseStrokeOsteoporosisMajor Depression from Brain StarvationHeadlines.WASHINGTON, Jun 22, 2004... Read More
Adaptation is the most important concept I teach. The human... Read More
Weight Loss |