The United States of America is number one in obesity in the whole world, the main reason behind this is believed to be on the foods that most of the American population consumes which are readily available and need no further preparations. The meals include gooey butter cake, Twinkies that are deep-fried, and Doritos among others. As a result, some dietary plans have been seen going viral in television and other media advertisements which are geared to cutting weight and reduce obesity levels in the U.S. one being the Healthy Eating Plate. Other most popular losing weight diets are the Atkins diet by and the USADA’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture) MyPlate which replaced the already existing food pyramid. The two diets, Atkins diet and MyPlate, though vary entirely from each other with a wide margin, they make the top list of preferred weight loss diets, especially the Atkins Diet.
When it comes to battling the obesity in the United States, Atkins Diet is at the frontline of the battle. Atkins is a low-carbohydrate nutrition, which is usually and highly recommended to lose weight (Gunnars, 2017). This diet has had significant achievements due to its outstanding results in battling obesity. It is with this diet that over a million of the American population has successfully shed excess weight. The best thing about this diet is that in addition to being a diet that is effective, it is straightforward. The proponents of the Atkins nutrition claim that losing weight can be done while eating as many fats and proteins provided that the level of carbohydrates is low (Gunnars, 2017). More than 20 researchers in over twelve years have suggested that weight loss is only achievable when there is a little intake of carbohydrates. With the Atkins Diet having low carbohydrates level, it becomes the most effective diet in America for losing weight.
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The Atkins diet not only helps in the loss of weight but also improving an individual’s health. The Atkins diet comes in some phases to lose weight as well as maintenance. The Atkins diet targets the eating habits of an individual which in return help in keeping exes body mass off and lose more to a healthier weight (Mayo Clinic, 2017). The diet is a healthy eating lifelong approach which must not be necessary to lose weight but also boost an individual’s energy levels, health complications such as metabolic syndrome, and high blood pressure (Mayo Clinic, 2017). It also helps in the improvement of the blood sugar levels, among other markers of health (Gunnars, 2017). Atkins diet phases are four, which are for guidance and planning. The 1st phase which is induction, where for two weeks recommended carbohydrates grams are 20. Eating high-protein, and high-fat, with vegetables having a low-carbohydrate level, i.e. leafy greens. This phases’ purpose is to alert the body thus making it shift its gears to using energy as a result of burning fat from using energy burnt from carbohydrates (Bird, 2017). The first phase aim is to trigger the metabolism of fat burning. The 2nd phase which is balancing, more low-carbohydrate vegetables, nuts, and fruits in low amounts can then be introduced in small numbers. Phase 3, the fine-tuning; being close to the goal weight, more carbohydrates can be added to the diet until the process of losing weight slows down. Then the 4th phase is maintenance; where an individual can eat any amount of healthy carbohydrates which the body can cope with without adding more weight (Gunnars, 2017).
MyPlate was unveiled by the United States Department of Agriculture and came into the market as a replacement for the already existing weight loss diet referred to as food pyramid (Carollo, 2011). Compared to the Atkins Diet, MyPlate considers a balance of dairy, proteins, fruits, grains, and vegetables for the diet. Later this diet (MyPlate), was dismissed by Havard Researchers claiming that the diet is not good enough, this they claimed as they offered a new version referred to as the Healthy Eating Plate which addresses the MyPlate shortcomings (Carollo, 2011). Compared to the Akins diet, MyPlate fails to offer the appropriate guidance (Carollo, 2011). MyPlate only has four sections in a symbol of a plate containing vegetables, proteins, grains and fruits, no further details are added, Harvard uses the same feature on the MyPlate and adds more detail to it regarding the foods to avoid and those to eat (Carollo, 2011). More so the foods in Harvard's plate differentiate from each other thus giving a clear distinction between the foods. What is more, the Harvard plate, just like the Atkins diet has health benefits with it. The health benefits arise from the fibre and whole grains which are crucial to the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health. Also, the plate diet can help in reducing diabetes 2, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, apart from losing and managing weight (Carollo, 2011). The Harvard plate includes the aspect of staying of staying active in addition to the nutritional diet that they are recommending (Harvard School of Public Health). Staying active helps in keeping fit by burning fat and also increases the rate of metabolic reactions in the body.
The two diets, Atkins diet and MyPlate, though vary entirely from each other with a wide margin, they make the top list of preferred weight loss foods, especially the Atkins Diet. Obesity is a disease among most of the American population, the Atkins Diet compared to the others stands out tall. It is for this reason that the Atkins diet is clear systematic and straightforward, making it easier to follow and manage. The MyPlate gives only directions on what to be eating, but Harvard's plate after enhancing it; they are able to make it clear on what to eat. As much as it comes with additional benefits just like the Atkins diet, still it fails to give steps and directions on how to consume, the exact amount in a day. As for this reason, Atkins diet remains the treatment to weight loss, not only because it is simple and clear but also comprises of all the needed nutritional health for the body.
Reference
Harvard School of Public Health. (n.d). Healthy Eating Plate . Retrieved from letsgo.org/wp-content/uploads/Harvard-School-of-Public-Health-Healthy-Eating-Plate.pdf
Carollo, K. (2011, September 15). Harvard Researchers Unveil New Healthy Eating Plate. ABC News . Retrieved from abcnews.go.com/Health/harvard-researchers-offer-alternative-usdas-myplate/story?id=14519983
Gunnars, K. (2017, June 24). The Atkins Diet: Everything You Need to Know (Literally). Health Line . Retrieved from healthline.com/nutrition/atkins-diet-101
Bird, B. (2017, July 18). Atkins 14 Day Diet Plan. Live Strong. Retrieved from livestrong.com/article/245708-atkins-14-day-diet-plan/
Mayo Clinic. (2017, August 16). Atkins Diet: What's behind the claims? Retrieved from mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/atkins-diet/art-20048485
