Beyond Pritikin

Like everything in this world, there are a smorgasbord of ideas out there to choose from. I've read some of the books against eating high carbohydrate, low-fat food, and they seem to have interesting ideas. Ann Gittleman is one of the more interesting ones. Her most popular book is Beyond Pritikin. She used to work for Pritikin as head of his retreat and now rejects him. She advocates eating flaxseed oil and expeller pressed safflower oil straight. She believes that too many carbohydrates causes everything from weight gain to dry skin. And too many carbohydrates are dangerous because they have a high glycemic index that cause havoc with insulin in the body. 

High Protein vs. High Carbohydrate Debate

There have been some nutritionists challenging the high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet.  Barry Sears in The Zone and authors like the Eades say that we need more fat than 10% and we need more protein.  They argue that too many carbohydrates raise insulin that causes many problems.

They argue that certain oils are especially good, such as the monofats and polyunsaturated fats actually help raise the good cholesterol (HDL) and help people lose weight.  The chemistry of the human body is so complex and there are so many factors that determine health.  As more studies and research is done we will eventually know exactly what and how to eat and how to be perfectly healthy.  Until then, there are many competing ideas on what is healthy food and what is not.  I find interesting things in both the high protein and the high carbohydrate agruments.  What little I have looked at Dr. Atkin's high fat books does not look good to me.  In this whole area of health you will have to do your homework and decide what is best for you.

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