One of my biggest pet peeves is when people trying to lose weight single out one thing in their diets to demonize - like fat, carbs or calories.  

That’s why this article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal seemed worth sharing.  The article talks about the results of a recent study published by the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center, which is part of Boston Children’s Hospital.  The study was designed to assess how three common diets impacted people’s ability to keep weight off after a period of initial weight loss.  The three diets were a low-carb diet, a low-fat diet, and a low-glycemic-index diet that balanced intake of calories from fat (40%), carbs (40%) and proteins (20%).  

The results showed that those on the more balanced low-glycemic-index diet burned about 150 calories a day more than those on the low-fat diet, without any of the negative impacts on cholesterol levels or various hormones that those on the low-carb diet experienced.

Studies like this will hopefully help prove the point that fad diets simply don’t work.  As one of the study authors, Dr. David Ludwig, states, “We should avoid severely restricting any major nutrient and focus on the quality of the nutrient.”  

Hear, hear!  It’s all about balance, people!