Category: Diet

Introduction

People in the developed world have over the last few decades have shown a great interest in achieving and maintaining ideal body weight. Saltzman, Thomason, and Roberts (2001) report that at any given time, 44% of women and 29% of men in the U.S. are trying to lose weight. This determination has, in part, been promoted by the advice given by health care workers and nutritionists.

These professionals have highlighted that an individuals body weight impacts his/her health. Specifically, it has been pointed out that being overweight leads to many negative health outcomes. Obesity is linked to diseases such as diabetes and a higher risk of heart attacks. The mental health of the individual is also affected by being overweight since research links being overweight to higher depression rates. For these reasons, many people are keen to maintain proper weight.

However, most people hope to achieve this with a minimal amount of effort. As such, instead of engaging in healthy eating and exercising, many people prefer diets that promise quick results with little effort. To meet this demand for quick weight loss solutions, many authors and nutritionists have come up with diets that provide short term results with little concern for long term weight loss or the health of the individual.

These diets are referred to as fad diets, and their major characteristic is that they are extreme diets that people follow as a trend to lose weight. Fad diets are very popular in the U.S., and most people have experimented with at least one.

The popularity of fad diets has been increased by the high prevalence of obesity and the relatively moderate success of traditional weight-control methods. This paper will set out to argue that fad diets should be avoided since they lead to health problems, are expensive, and do not lead to sustained weight loss by the dieter.

Arguments against Fad Diets

Fad diets are bad because they cause health problems to the dieter. Typically, fad diets are based on either avoidance of particular foods or intake of macronutrients in particular proportions. These variations often have negative health effects on the dieter. Debruyne, Pinna, and Whitney (2011) assert that most fad diets are not based on any credible research on their benefits or dangers. Dieters are, therefore exposed to various health problems.

Fad diets that encourage very low carbohydrate intake may lead to ketosis, which is a condition characterized by elevated levels of the ketone. In this case, the body uses fat to produce energy since it is unable to use glycogen bodies (Source Number Two, n.d.). The body can tolerate ketosis for a short time, but if it is allowed to continue for extended periods, the bodys P.H. level changes to acidic (Saltzman, 2001). This leads to dehydration and kidney problems due to the high levels of glucose in the body.

Increased protein diets, which are characterized by protein intake exceeding current recommendations and moderate levels of carbohydrates intake, may have adverse health impacts. High protein diets increase the risk of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis (commonly referred to as kidney stones) formation (Saltzman et al., 2001).

Source Number Two (n.d.) confirms that as high protein diet provides more protein than most people need, the liver and kidneys have extra work to do in breaking down and excreting the excess (p.2). In addition to this, high protein diets are linked to increased urinary calcium excretion and bone resorption. Dieters, therefore, risk having fragile bones since the bone density is reduced as a result of these diets.

Another demerit of fad diets is that they are expensive to maintain. To begin with, the individual has to purchase the diet book that has a detailed explanation of the permitted foods and the quantity of each serving. Once a person has purchased the book or the diet plan, he/she has to follow the instructions fully for the best results.

Many people are lured to fad diets by the claim that you can lose weight with little effort. However, most fad diet plans involved complicated rules and regimes that the individual has to follow. Dieters are often required to purchase special products that will aid in their weight loss.

In some cases, the dieter must consult a nutritionist to calculate his/her food intake correctly. Moyad (2004) explains that some diets require assistance to compute the daily protein requirement since this depends on the dieters weight, level of physical activity, and percentage of body fat. In addition to this, the foods required in some diet plans are expensive.

Moyad (2004) notes that most diets include the regular intake of fairly expensive beverages such as flavored seltzer and the consumption of vegetables and fancy garnishes. In addition to this, some diets include pharmaceutical supplements that must be purchased and consumed regularly as part of the diet plan. Source Number One (n.d.) indicates that in the U.S., over $40 billion is used on dieting and dieting related products each year.

A significant demerit of fad diets is that they do not lead to sustained weight loss by the dieter. Most people take up diets with the hope that they will lose the excess body weight and sustain the desirable body weight. However, this is not possible to achieve by relying on fad diets. Debruyne (2011) observes that while fad diets might appear to work for a while, more often than not, their success is short-lived. Most fad diets achieve quick results since the diets cause the loss of more body water in the short term.

However, the weight is regained as soon as the diet is discontinued. It is impossible to continually engage in fad diets since most of them are impractical. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the High-protein, low-carbohydrate fad diets are nutritionally inadequate (Source Number Three, n.d.). As such, they are unsustainable over long durations of time. Research indicates that 95% of all dieters regain their lost weight in one to five years (Source Number One, n.d.).

The argument in Favor of Fad Diets

A major argument in favor of fad diets is that they lead to tangible results for the dieter within a few weeks. These results serve as motivation since individuals realize that it is possible to attain their desired weight or size. Saltzman et al. (2001) state that most fad diets assist individuals in achieving the type of weight loss that appears impossible by traditional means. After realizing that fad diets are unsustainable, most people move on to sensible weight loss programs to achieve the results first obtained through fad diets.

In addition to this, the diets increase awareness of the various types of foods and their benefits to the body (Crowe, 2008). A person is, therefore, likely to engage in healthy eating after experimenting with a diet. While it is true that fad diets might encourage individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles, this is not the case with most people.

The positive results of fad diets encourage some dieters to engage in pathological dieting, which may be harmful to their health since fad diets are nutritionally inadequate. In addition to this, some dieters develop full-blown eating disorders due to their involvement with fad diets.

Conclusion

This paper set out to argue that fad diets are deleterious and should, therefore, be avoided by all individuals who are attempting to lose weight. It began by noting that fad diets are very popular because of their offer the promise of quick and easy weight loss in a nation overwhelmed by obesity. The paper then noted that fad diets are undesirable since they expose the dieter to a number of health problems. In addition to this, the diets are expensive to sustain and may require the dieter to purchase specialized equipment.

Finally, fad diets only offer temporary weight loss, making them unhelpful since the desired goal is a sustained weight loss. The paper has taken care to note that fad diets may serve as an incentive for people to adopt healthy habits. However, this positive outcome rarely happens, and most people only end up becoming pathological dieters or develop eating disorders. In light of the numerous negative effects associated with fad diets, there is little reason to encourage anybody to follow any of these diets.

References

Crowe, T. (2008). Nutrition Messages Given by Fad Diets Can Alter Peoples Food Perceptions. Nutrition, 19(2), 1-4.

Moyad, M. (2004). Fad Diets and Obesity  Part III: A Rapid Review of Some of the More Popular Low-Carbohydrate Diets. Upologic Nursing, 24(5), 442-445.

Saltzman, E., Thomason, P., & Roberts, S. (2001). Fad Diets: A Review for the Primary Care Provider. Nutrition in Clinical Care, 4(5), 235242.

Source Number One. Fad Diets.

Source Number Three. Cautioning Patients About Extreme Diets.

Source Number Two. A Myth or Miracle: Fad Diets.

Introduction

Nowadays, much attention is paid to the role of food in human life. Food literacy turns out to be a serious topic for discussion in many countries as it helps to manage and prevent a number of food-related health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and the development of metabolic syndrome (Cullen, Hatch, Martin, Higgins, & Sheppard, 2015; Drewnowski & Kawachi, 2015). Regarding recent medical achievements, the current technological progress, and never stopping globalization, people should always deal with new things and meet expectations despite the level of their readiness (Christopherson, Garretsen, & Martin, 2008). These requirements also determine the quality of food people eat and the knowledge people have about healthy eating. The relationship between health (mental and physical) and diet has been thoroughly discussed by many authors to prove that appropriate food intake, malnutrition control, and personal attitudes to the diet may influence human behavior, mood, productivity, and decision making (Fontana & Partridge, 2015; ONeil et al., 2014). Still, despite the evident connection between the changes caused by globalization and health, not much information about American food literacy through globalization is actually available.

Analysis

Such global topic as a health-diet connection can be developed through answering the following research questions: Does globalization have a positive impact on Americans and their intentions to improve health through diet? or Is it enough for the US population to create programs and interventions at local levels to observe certain improvements in public health? The goal of this new project is to understand the nature of the relationship between globalization and healthy eating promoted in the United States and clarify the steps the population takes to improve its health. To address these gaps, it is possible to develop a descriptive study and investigate current interventions and programs that are available to Americans in their intentions to use diet, change their lifestyles, and avoid health-related complications.

The evaluation of national achievements, the identification of public knowledge about healthy eating and globalization, and the consideration of peoples attitudes to the diet through the analysis of peer-reviewed and newspaper articles (published during the last five years) should help to answer the main research question and contribute an understanding of the impact of American diet on health. Content analysis and the description of American food literacy may create a solid basis for future research in terms of which it is possible to develop new interventions for the population and helpful healthy eating guides.

References

Christopherson, S., Garretsen, H., & Martin, R. (2008). The world is not flat: Putting globalization in its place. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 1(3), 343-349.

Cullen, T., Hatch, J., Martin, W., Higgins, J. W., & Sheppard, R. (2015). Food literacy: Definition and framework for action. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Perspectives in Practice, 76(3), 140-145.

Drewnowski, A., & Kawachi, I. (2015). Diets and health: How food decisions are shaped by biology, economics, geography, and social interactions. Big Data, 3(3), 193-197.

Fontana, L., & Partridge, L. (2015). Promoting health and longevity through diet: From model organisms to humans. Cell, 161(1), 106-118.

ONeil, A., Quirk, S. E., Housden, S., Brennan, S. L., Williams, L. J., Pasco, J. A.,& Jacka, F. N. (2014). Relationship between diet and mental health in children and adolescents: A systematic review. American Journal of Public Health, 104(10), 31-42.

Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to avoid use of diet pills.

Thesis: We all should avoid diet pills like a plague as there are too many side effects risking health of innocent people and causing them to suffer just because they did not know. Also, we should spread this information to everyone we know. You could be saving a life.

Attention Step

1. [Attention Getter] Every modern persons big question is what is it I could eat to get thinner?
   1. Medical workers widely promote healthy lifestyle, which includes having healthy weight. Diet pills seem to be preferred by the majority of weight watchers because they grant quick results easily. Yet, not many people know about the danger these pills present.
   2. Side effects of diet pills are unknown and rarely mentioned because they would harm the reputation of the pills that need to be promoted. The manufacturers of diet pills prefer to emphasize the positive effect they bring.
2. Consumers come to pharmacies and get those magic pills that help to lose weight in the shortest time possible. Tossing these pills into their mouths weight watchers expect to live better and healthier lives. In reality, they give their bodies a chance to develop fatal conditions, such heart kidney and liver diseases.
3. [Credibility] I am sure some of us know of a similar case and will admit it is not worth it at all.
4. [Topic Justification] We have all been at that point when we felt we needed to cut down a little. The thought of a pill that makes it all go away appealed to us and some of us actually fell for it. Had we been better informed we would have escaped. Well, here is the chance.
5. [Preview] Today I would like to explain that even though taking diet pills seems like the easiest way out, in reality it turns out to be the most costly. Watching what and how you eat and exercising regularly is the simplest yet most ignored advice given to weightwatchers. In the end, they suffer for taking the easier way out. I am here to persuade you to always avoid that easier path.

Transition: you may think, I have never been in such a situation and may never be, but you are wrong. Weight gain may occur due to a number of reasons; childbirth, old age, diabetes. You may one day find yourself struggling with arthritis and imagine how much easier it would be on your knee-joints if you weighed a few pounds less.

Need Step

1. Modern society members are under the constant pressure of being skinny and petite promoted by the mass media.
   1. Just because the trend is to be as skinny as possible does not mean we have to follow it. Self-image and self-love is supposed to come from within us. When we dislike our appearances, we become ready to do anything to change it.
   2. Unfortunately, most of the people who are addicted to drugs stimulating weight loss did not even need them in the first place. They used to be healthy individuals who over criticized themselves.
   3. This does not mean it is necessary for overweight people to take drugs. There are much better stipulated means of losing that weight rather than risking their lives.
2. Taking diet pills is highly dangerous because the way they work harms human body.
   1. Diet pill usage leads to many health conditions such as high blood pressure, liver disease, congestive heart failure, urinary tract difficulties, stomach pains, glaucoma, insomnia, respiratory failure and even stroke.
   2. Examples of diet pills include; orlistat, benzphetamine (didrex), diethylproprion, pondimin, mazindol, phentermieetc (Drugs& Alcohol, par. 5).
   3. Taking diet pills worsens chronic conditions a person may have. The best diet pills that grant the fastest results are based on psychotropic substances that destroy nervous system.
3. You can choose to ignore all this or actually take it up. Statistically, girls start worrying about their weight at the age of fourteen or fifteen. Basically, any female older than that is at risk of getting her health harmed by weight loss drugs.
   1. A study performed among high-school aged females found that the use of diet pills especially has gone up almost double from 7.5 percent to 14 percent. Around 20 percent of 19-20 year olds surveyed were found to have used diet pills.
   2. Over 50 percent of people with eating disorders tend to abuse diet pills (Diet Pills, par. 7).

Transition: now you have a clear picture of how diet pills affect our health and that of people we love. You also know that it is not a minor problem that can be ignored. It is affecting more and more people daily at a much higher rate.

Solution Step

1. [Evaluation of suggested solution] Healthy lifestyle may seem to be a hard work. Yet, this is the true way that guarantees permanent weight loss without negative effects on health.
2. [Statement of Solution] Exercise and healthy eating is the only healthy way out. Being strong-willed and principled is probably all you need to achieve success.
   1. Eat smaller proportions of food many times a day. Ensure well balanced meals high in fiber to improve digestion.
   2. A jog or an intense long walk is excellent for heart. Do warm up exercises before you begin training to avoid muscle damage. With time you will get more comfortable exercising and will actually learn to like it.
3. [Explanation of solution] The alternative method may not be as fast in effect in weight loss as diet pills but it is more effective in the long run and has no fatal side effects.
   1. Statistically, women between the ages of 18 and 30 who walk at least 4 hours in a day are 44 percent more likely to lose weight than women of the same age who do not, even if they used diet pills (Diet Pillls, par. 3).
4. [Effectiveness of the solution] Weight loss through the regular exercising is more stable
   1. Human body reacts to rapid weight loss by storing fat.
   2. As soon a starved body gets a chance, it will re-gain all the lost weight by increasing the persons appetite, so they are likely to become heavier than before the use of pills.
5. [Refutation] It is believed that some diet pills are harmless because they work though diuretic of depletive effects.
   1. Diuretics cause loss of liquids, which harms kidneys, heart and causes muscle spasms and headaches.
   2. Depletive drugs may cause stomach disorders, hemorrhoids and tie people up making them stay home all the time causing a lot of discomfort.

Transition: now that we have figured out that it is not that hard to exercise or watch what you eat, let us consider the benefits of exercising besides weight loss.

Visualization Step

[Positive Visualization] Imagine a world without diet pills, eating disorders, cigarettes and drugs  this is what healthy lifestyle for everyone means.

Conclusion Step

1. Healthy lifestyle benefits include; keeping fit, reducing your chances of heart failure, becoming a generally happier person, better skin, better sexual drive, etc.
2. [Closing Statement] Today I have given you the tools you need to reconsider your choices and make a pro-health choice.

Audience Analysis

My audience is made up of young people of around 20-30 years like in a higher education institution

Ethos Analysis

I implied to my audience to look at the facts objectively and tried to make them connect with the situation by telling it could be them or their loved ones next. This was not to scare them into agreeing with me but to get them to act upon the information I gave.

Stylistic Devices

Simile: Avoid diet pills like a plague.

Enthymemes

Side effects of diet pills are unknown and rarely mentioned because they would harm the reputation of the pills that need to be promoted.

Diet pills seem to be preferred by the majority of weight watchers because they grant quick results easily.

Motive Appeals

Fear: I scared the audience by telling them this could happen to anyone including them or their loved ones.

Self-pride: I appealed to the audience by making them imagine how great they will feel when they actually achieve their goal of losing weight.

Works Cited

Diet Pills. Addiction Hope. 2014. Web.

Diet Pills. Livestrong. 2014. Web.

Drugs & Alcohol. Pamf. n.d. Web.

A protein-restricted diet involves the reduced intake of protein foods that constitutes an individuals daily calories. This diet is typically prescribed to control specific medical conditions such as kidney and liver diseases. These foods include eggs, nuts, salmon, chicken, and beef, containing high protein levels (Suzuki et al., 2018). Therefore, a low intake of proteins is a dietary style preferred for geriatric patients considering that their metabolism slows down in senior age, indicating that high-protein foods could result in weight gain and other diseases (Mirzaei et al., 2017). Therefore, an inclusive nutritional teaching strategy on low protein intake among geriatric patients is integral in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

There are various risks associated with aging, including low immunity, unhealthy eating patterns, and the reoccurrence of chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. In addition, when people age, their immune system reduces significantly due to the less production of the B and T cells that help fight against illnesses when they occur (Suzuki et al., 2018). Similarly, senior people are prone to developing unbalanced dietary systems due to social-economic factors such as a lack of a certified caregiver and finances to access healthier food choices. Additionally, geriatrics suffers from degenerative diseases such as dementia, affecting their judgment and nutritional choices (Mirzaei et al., 2017). Therefore, effective training in self-management is integral in facilitating change among this population of people. For example, patient M is a 68years African American male diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (Suzuki et al., 2018). He is reported to have been taking half a pound of meat and three eggs daily. He mentioned that he loves his eggs and meat every day, and he feels happy and satisfied after taking the meal.

When asked about the dangers of his dietary pattern, he said nothing is wrong with eating since proteins are the building blocks of body tissues and muscles. As a retired bodybuilder, he still loves big muscles and maintains a high-protein diet to sustain his physique. However, his responses indicate a man with information distorted from the truth. Therefore, considering his medical history and age, he must be put on a low-protein diet since both variables put him at risk of experiencing health deterioration (Mirzaei et al., 2017). Additionally, he needs training on the best dietary behaviors to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Considering the high protein levels in his blood and the polycystic kidney disease, patient M should embrace the low-protein diet plan. Therefore, the meat and eggs will be substituted with vegetables and grains such as spinach and green peas. These plant-based proteins contain healthy compounds such as unsaturated fats and cholesterol that are harmless to health. However, the patient can still take low quantities of meat and other grains and fruits to ensure they get enough calories needed. An example is making fried rice with 50grams of meat instead of the earlier consumption range of 500grams daily (Mirzaei et al., 2017). This restricted protein intake will ensure that the blood is detoxified from excess protein intake.

The short nutritional teaching plan, including a meal makeover and focusing on food contents, will be presented using nutritional videos and uniform brochures to promote mindful eating. Meal makeover videos will train the client on ways to incorporate their favorite plant-based recipes to ensure they maintain the stipulated diet (Suzuki et al., 2018). For instance, African Americans love soya and beans, which can be used instead of eggs and meat. The client will also be taught how to interpret the nutritional label to make informed choices. For instance, the patient will understand that 100 calories per serving are recommended and considered moderate through learning and discovery (Mirzaei et al., 2017). Therefore and anything beyond that mark has detrimental effects on health.

Presenting this training will require cultural competence to ensure that different beliefs are considered when creating suggestions. The reason is that the patient has both Mediterranean and Spanish traits. Therefore, the foods prescribed must be cross-cultural to ensure that the process is done without prejudice. For instance, people from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures appreciate spices in their foods for taste (Suzuki et al., 2018). On the other hand, Latinos prefer cereals such as rice, whole grain corn, and rice in their diet (Mirzaei et al., 2017). Therefore, the patient can be encouraged to use herbs such as garlic and turmeric in their rice dishes to ensure that the food is relatable, ideal, and of high nutritional value to substitute the unhealthy food intake. Furthermore, appreciating diversity will ensure that the family complies with the set rules considering that all decisions will be inclusive and respective of their beliefs, preferences, and customs.

The geriatric populations are individuals prone to illnesses which can be prevented. Lifestyle habits such as daily consumption of meat may affect health, considering that excess proteins in the bloodstream have negative consequences on health. Moderate intake is advised to ensure that the internal organs such as the kidneys do not overwork to remove waste since it can trigger organ failure in senior age. Training is integral since it creates awareness and supports lifestyle change. People become responsible for their health through responsible dieting and supporting wellness. Relatable videos and pamphlets can enhance information retention in such training.

References

Mirzaei, H., Raynes, R., & Longo, V. D. (2017). The conserved role for protein restriction during aging and disease. Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care, 19(1), 74. Web.

Suzuki, H., Kanazawa, M., Komagamine, Y., Iwaki, M., Jo, A., Amagai, N., & Minakuchi, S. (2018). The effect of new complete denture fabrication and simplified dietary advice on nutrient intake and masticatory function of edentulous elderly: A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Nutrition, 37(5), 1441-1447. Web.

For todays discussion, I decided to analyze an article by Bruci et al. (2018), which focused on assessing the effect of the very-low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) on health outcomes of patients with mild kidney failure. The authors stated the addressed problem as high protein, ketogenic diets are often looked at with concern by clinicians due to the potential harm they pose to kidney function. Thus, the purpose of the study was to assess the effect of VLCKD on health outcomes and kidney function in patients with mild kidney failure. The researchers used a real-life observational study by continuously observing the health status of patients on VLCKD for three months, which is considered a quasi-experimental study (Gray & Grove, 2021). The researchers concluded that VLCKD was an effective and harmless method of weight loss in patients with kidney diseases if conducted under the supervision of health care professionals.

The researchers did not state that they used any theoretical framework; therefore, it is unclear if the concepts are aligned with the utilized framework. The method utilized by the researchers was clearly explained, which allows replication of the study. The diet specifics, methods for measuring variables, observation process, and data analysis techniques were clearly explained in sufficient detail. The quasi-experimental approach was appropriate for the study, as the researchers could not randomly assign a control group (Gray & Grove, 2021). However, it was crucial to conduct quasi-experimental research rather than a retrospective study to ensure that all the participants went through the same treatment under close supervision of healthcare professionals, which allowed higher reliability and validity of findings. The researchers used a series of paired-sample t-test to compare the physiological characteristics of participants before and after the intervention. The results revealed a significant decrease in body mass (around 27% weight loss) with no significant harm to the health status. Thus, the results supported the conclusion.

References

Bruci, A., Tuccinardi, D., Tozzi, R., Balena, A., Santucci, S., Frontani, R.,& & Watanabe, M. (2020). Very low-calorie ketogenic diet: a safe and effective tool for weight loss in patients with obesity and mild kidney failure. Nutrients, 12(2), 333.

Gray, J. R., & Grove, S. K. (2021). Burns and Groves the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). Elsevier.

Introduction

It is important to note that one of the most recent and popular nutrition trends involves the ketogenic or keto diet. It is a form of eating where the majority of nutrients come from fat and protein sources with a minimal dosage of carbohydrates. When it comes to this form of eating, there are several claims made regarding the keto diet ranging from weight loss to cancer prevention.

The Selected Nutrition Claim and Trustworthiness of the Source

In the article, Why Is the Keto Diet Good for You? written by Ana Gotter and medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, the nutrition expert provides seven benefits of the ketogenic diet. These include improvement of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), seizure reduction, brain function protection, heart health enhancement, cancer risk decrease, acne removal, and weight loss (Gotter par. 1). The given evaluation will mainly focus on the weight loss claim to ensure the precision and specificity of the assessment. The reviewer is a Master of Science (MS) and a Registered Dietitian (RD), which is why her review increases the credibility of the article. Jillian Kubalas profile shows that she is experienced, trustworthy, credible, and educated on the subject. However, the author herself lacks any form of credentials to confirm that the source is not biased. Therefore, this piece of writing can be trusted for the most part due to the reviewer only.

The claim is published in Medical News Today, and it is a fairly reliable source of nutrition information for the public as a form of popular media. It does not hold the same level of credibility as academic journals or peer-reviewed research papers but contains the necessary links for any reader to check the sources of the information. The article does not directly or explicitly state who paid for the nutrition claim, but the payer is likely the website itself. The Keto diet is not a product or service on its own, which means that there is no party or organization with interest in promoting it besides the medical community. There are indeed companies capitalizing on the keto trend by selling supplements, but the article does not promote such products. Thus, there is no potential source of bias or conflict of interest.

The Reliability and Strength of the Research Presented in the Claim Source

Each subsection of the claim is supported by a mix of evidence, which is mainly comprised of actual research published in peer-reviewed journals as well as the Medical News Today website. It is the former part that makes the research supporting the claim solid, reliable, strong, and credible. In the case of weight loss, the research article states, the rapid and sustained weight and FM loss induced by VLCK-diet in obese subjects did not induce the expected reduction in RMR (Gomez-Arbelaez et al. 1). The finding corresponds to the claim that the ketogenic diet may help promote weight loss in several ways, including boosting metabolism and reducing appetite (Gotter par. 6). The research was a clinical trial intervention with both lifestyle and behavioral modifications. As with any diet or nutrition-related study, there is a multitude of possible confounding variables, but the most significant one would be better dietary awareness and reduction of consumption of processed food. The study was conducted across four months on 20 obese human subjects (Gomez-Arbelaez et al. 1). A notable decrease in adipose weight and appetite without a reduction in resting metabolic rate was found.

The Overall Evaluation of the Nutrition Claim and Appropriateness of the Presented Perspectives

There are no mentions of how many studies support or reject the claim, but the article provides a separate section on adverse effects and risks alongside complications. For the latter, a source states, close monitoring of renal functions while on a ketogenic diet is imperative, and the transition from a ketogenic diet to a standard diet should be gradual and well-controlled (Masood et al. par. 17). In other words, the kidney risks are highlighted by the claimed source as well as its evidence. Other factors that have a more significant impact on health, fitness, wellness, and performance are acknowledged. The claimed source directly and explicitly states that one should discuss any intended diet plan with a doctor, dietitian, or trusted healthcare provider (Gotter par. 37). The ketogenic diet is proven to be highly effective at reducing fat mass among obese individuals without any loss regarding the compensational metabolic reduction (Gomez-Arbelaez et al. 1). The overall evaluation reveals that the claim is substantial, accurate, evidence-based, reliable, credible, and trustworthy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the given nutrition claim analysis and evaluation showed that the article written by Ana Gotter, medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, and published in Medical News Today is strong. It uses credible sources, such as peer-reviewed research articles, and it uses proper language to communicate the actual findings. In addition, the claimed source delivers information on the adverse effects of the keto diet with a warning to the readers about the importance of consulting medical professionals.

Works Cited

Gomez-Arbelaez, Diego, et al. Resting Metabolic Rate of Obese Patients Under Very Low Calorie Ketogenic Diet. Nutrition & Metabolism, vol. 15, no. 18, 2018, pp. 1-10.

Gotter, Ana. Why Is the Keto Diet Good for You? Medical News Today, 2020, Web.

Masood, Wajeed, et al. Ketogenic Diet. StatPearls Publishing, 2021.

While there are no precise records as to when humanity started consuming fish as a viable food source there are various instances throughout history which do show how important a resource it was and how early humans actually founded their settlements near rivers and tributaries to take advantage of both the fresh water and the abundant marine life in such locations.

As early settlements continued to grow as seen in the case of China, Egypt and the Indus valley civilization it became increasingly necessary to develop some means of mass production of staple food sources.

This resulted in the creation of the earliest agriculture and farming practices which included various means of animal domestication, in the case of fish this came in the form of the first known instances of aquaculture in the Egyptian and Chinese civilizations in 2500 BC (Maybank, 2007).

Since there are no known records which precisely indicate when this particular practice began in Egypt and China it has been theorized that the practice began when large concentrations of fish began accumulating in rice/grain fields, small lakes and various other closed sources of water during the monsoon season which regularly submerged large tracts of land and caused isolated bodies of water to form when the flood receded (Maybank, 2007).

The practice of aquaculture didnt truly gain mainstream acceptance till the Middle Ages in Europe and the late 20th century in North America however once it did it became a veritable modern phenomena with current estimates stating that 16% of the worlds current animal protein consumption is derived from fish and that well over a billion people are actually dependent on fish as one of their primary sources of protein (Maybank, 2007).

Of particular interest is the fact that large scale aquaculture production of fish (hundred thousand to million ton ranges) didnt truly begin till the late 1800s when methods of artificial fertilization were developed in France. It was only after such an innovation was created that large scale aquaculture practices were able to ramp up their means of production which resulted in their current state today.

Value for Humans

For a large percentage of the current global population fish represents a readily available and above all affordable means of sustenance when compared to other food types. Based on comparative global prices it can be seen that certain species of domesticated fish such as milkfish, cod, and dory are actually consumed by the metric ton on an almost daily basis due to their relatively low prices.

While it may be true that beef, chicken and pork have a relatively higher rate of consumption the fact still remains that in most markets fish that are either caught on the open sea or produced through aquaculture have a relatively lower price as compared to most cuts of beef, chicken or pork.

In some cultures, particularly those in East Asia and South East Asia, fish is actually consumed more than beef, chicken or pork due to their geography which places them near larger sources of fish as compared to cultures located in Central Europe or the central states in the U.S.

Taking this into consideration it can be seen that fish has a different value depending on the geographic location of the culture that consumes it. For some cultures various dishes based on fish can be considered an integral part of their cultural tradition while for others fish can be considered nothing more than a miscellaneous option between chicken, beef, pork or vegetables.

Start of Fish Consumption among Ancestral Humans

Dr. Cunnae, from the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec posits the theory that the evolutionary growth of the human brain which created modern day humans was actually a direct result of our ancestors consuming fish and clams from various shorelines (Cunnane, 2006).

His theory posits that our evolutionary brain development was influenced by the nutrients and fats evident from various aquatic species located near shorelines, particularly fish. He goes on to explain that the average human baby brain actually consumes 75 cent of a babys daily energy needs and as such requires large reserves of nutrients in the form of fat which constitutes 14 percent of a babys body weight (Cunnane, 2006).

Taking this into consideration Dr. Cunnae further explains that the evolution of the human mind was thus based on the amount of essential fats ingested early on by pregnant mothers and as a result it was our earliest ancestors that consumed such fats from fish and clams that eventually led to the development of the human mind today (Cunnane, 2006).

As such it can be assumed that the start of fish consumption for early humans can be connected to the start of the rapid evolutionary brain development of our species several million years ago.

Distribution and Variety of Fish around the World

There are actually hundreds of thousands of known species of fish distributed around the world which have been noted as being viable sources of food for humans.

In fact, it actually isnt clearly known what sort of species may turn up in a market in the Philippines or one in Japan and as such there isnt a clear way of knowing the precise distribution of fish, what species will be caught more or harvested on a particular day and where they go for export. It is known though that when examining the rate of global consumption of fish nearly 60% or more is consumed within Asia.

While it may be true that the Asian continent is the largest in the world and thus has more people the fact remains that due to its geographic position and the relevance of fish to the diets of many cultures within the region it isnt surprising that this area accounts for the largest percentage of fish consumption.

As for the variety of this particular food type in term of ways it is cooked there are quite literally millions of recipes spanning thousands of years from places such as China, Malaysia and the Philippines to France, Italy, Spain and South America.

Fish has been cooked, grilled, diced, minced and eaten raw in so many ways that any attempt to compartmentalize the sheer amount of recipes into any discernable hardcopy would result in several volumes spanning several series and iterations due to the vastness of the ways in which the myriad cultures of humanity have attempted to add flavor to this particular means of sustenance.

Symbolism in Different Cultures

It is actually rather interesting to note that fish have come to develop distinct symbolical underpinning in various cultures throughout history. For example, the Celts developed a symbol based on fish (salmon in this particular case) which came to be associated with wisdom, inspiration and knowledge.

In fact in Celtic mythology salmon actually attained their wisdom from consuming sacred hazelnuts that came from Segais (their version of the well of knowledge) (Whats your sign, N.I). It must be noted though that salmon does contain large amounts of omega 3 which has been associated with developing better memory and mental health and as such there is a certain degree of truth behind the Celtic mythology.

Another interesting interpretation is one originating from ancient China in which fish are considered symbolic of unity and fidelity which is derived from their observation of Koi which swim together in pairs (Whats your sign, N.I).

In fact based on the Chinese and Celtic examples it can be seen that their interpretation of fish and their associated qualities is largely derived from observation and experience and as such it can actually be theorized that a particular cultures interpretation of fish can be derived from the type of fish within their particular region.

Evidence of this is seen in the symbolism attached by the Norse culture to fish wherein they became symbols of adaptability and determination which they saw through the actions of salmon and their return to their ancient spawning grounds (Whats your sign, N.I).

Recipes for Fish

Tuna in Oyster Sauce

Tuna in oyster sauce is actually quite a simple dish to make and tastes quite good. First and foremost you start with several slices of tuna that have been lightly salted. You fry these slices lightly on both sides and set it aside to be added later on.

In another pan heat up some oil then add in some sliced garlic, then some diced onions after which you slowly add in the fried tuna slices. At this point oyster sauce is poured on the top along with a little bit of soy sauce and water. Let the mixture sit for a while under low heat after which you can put it on a plate and serve.

Stuffed Grilled Milk Fish

This particular recipe starts out with a large milk fish with the scales already removed on all sides. After which a cut is made on the top part of the fish along the spine in order to create an opening in which stuffing can be added inside. The stuffing will consist of a few pieces of crush ginger, half a slice of onion that has been cubed, various peppers, sliced tomatoes and lastly some lime juice on the inside.

Before all these ingredients are put in though it is important to thoroughly salt the inside of the fish in order to add flavor to it. Once all ingredients are inside it becomes necessary to place the fish on top of a grill that has had several coals beneath it warming for the past 10 minutes.

Once one side of the fish becomes slightly charred you can then flip it over and let the other side cook as well. This entire process shouldnt take more than 30 to 40 minutes. Once both sides are cooked the fish can be taken off the grill, cut open then subsequently served.

Tuna Spread

This particular recipe involves creating a healthy and above all delicious tuna spread recipe that can be used with most kinds of breads that can be bought at any grocery or supermarket. This recipe involves one can of tuna that has been drained with the contents placed in a small bowl. Afterwards 3 pinches of salt, two pinches of sugar and 2 pinches of pepper are added on top of the tuna.

Then half a white onion is diced and included with the tuna mixture along with 1 1/2 cup of mayonnaise. The entire contents of the bowl is then subsequent mixed and chilled and can be used for nice and delicious sandwiches within an hour of cooling.

Overall Chemical Makeup

The overall chemical makeup of fish is pure protein with some vitamins and nutrients such as Omega 3 varying from specie to specie.

Reference List

Cunnane, S. (2006). Human brain evolution and eating fish from shoreline environments. Web.

Maybank, M. (2007). A short history of fish domestication. Web.

Whats your sign. (N.I.). Symbolic meanings of fish. Web.

Introduction

Imagine living your life squeezed into an excrement-filled cage, with no sun or fresh air, listening to your neighbors regularly being hauled away to die. Yes, you are in an industrial farm. Your Thanksgiving turkey was just one of the millions of creatures, capable of both pain and affection, that suffer and die to feed us. Today I will demonstrate why adopting a flexetarian diet is good for the animals, the environment, and your health, and suggest how you can become a flexetarian.

Main Points

1. What do we mean by flexetarianism?
   1. Flexetarians consciously choose to substitute plant-based foods for animal-based proteins from time to
      time.
   2. This means that they mainly use grains, beans, and high protein vegetables for protein, but include meat
      in small amounts.
   3. This differs from strict vegetarianism and veganism, which exclude meat entirely.
2. People avoid meat for many reasons, but I will address those I find most relevant.
   1. Some worry about animal cruelty.
      • Consider these images of industrial farming,
      • As you see, millions of animals suffer lives and deaths that are unnecessarily painful.
   2. Aside from avoidance of animal cruelty, people also adopt flexetarian diets for environmental
      preservation.
      • The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that chemical and animal waste runoff from
        factory farms pollutes more than 173,000 miles of rivers and streams.
      • The livestock industry also uses up vast amounts of water. Although estimates vary, a pound of
        beef requires many times the amount of water needed to produce a pound of grain.
      • David Pimentel, a Cornell ecologist, asserts that the grain we feed to our meat animals could
        sustain 800 million people, offsetting famine.
      • Giant factory farms also release greenhouse gasses, particularly Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and
        Methane. These contribute to global climate change.
      • University of Chicago researchers estimate that a vegan diet can prevent 1.5
        tons of CO2 emissions annually.
   3. Another reason to become flexetarian is for better health.
      • Plant foods usually contain lots of fiber, lots of important vitamins, and minerals, with little
        fat.
      • Missing nutrients, chiefly B12, essential to the nervous system, are replaceable via vitamin
        supplements.
      • Individual plant based foods also contain incomplete proteins, but these can be enhanced by
        combining legumes and grains.
      • Our flexetarian food pyramid has low-fat, low-calorie, foods like grains, beans and vegetables
        at the broad base. These should make up 90% of our diet.
   4. Calorie-dense foods like meat and dairy occupy the tiny top of the pyramid in small quantities.
      • This is because, according to researchers, an estimated 70 percent of all illnesses, including
        one-third of all cancers, are diet-related.
      • A flexetarian diet, lower in fats, can help reduce risks for many diseases.
3. Now, if you are convinced, how can you become flexetarian?
   1. Most importantly, your expectation of what makes a meal must change.
      • Instead of meat at the center of your plate, consider tasty combinations like tortillas and beans, and
        other tasty animal food substitutes.
      • Use meat for flavor, not as your main protein source.
   2. If you are worried about assembling tasty and sustaining meals, there are books, websites, and restaurants to
      help flexetarian newbies.
      1. Check out Vegetarian Times.
      2. Get a cookbook or look online.
   3. If you are not much of a cook, try some vegetarian restaurants.
      1. There are hundreds in NYC, many of them here in Manhattan.
      2. Try searching Google for vegetarian restaurants in NYC, and check yelp.com for ratings.

Conclusion

I know how challenging it is to cut meat out of even one meal! This is a lifetime process. However, a flexetarian diet allows you to reach your goal in manageable steps. I hope that the next time you choose a meal, you will recall the animals mistreated in industrial farms, the impact of your choice on global climate change and water quality, and the risks to your own health.

Bibliography

Cornell Chronicle. U.S. could feed 800 million people with grain that livestock eat, Cornell ecologist advises animal scientists. 1997. Cornell Chronicle. Web.

Cruelty-free.org. Animals, Environment, and Climate. 2014. Cruelty-free.org. Web.

Environmental Protection Agency. Whats the problem? 2014. Environmental Protection Agency. Web.

Estimation of the water requirement for beef production in the United States. Journal of Animal Science 71 (1993): 818-826. Web.

Farm to Fridge  The Truth Behind Meat Production. 2011. YouTube. Web.

foregoingdiva7507. Is Eating Meat Bad for the Environment. 2014. Scribd.com. Web.

Green America. Eat less meat, cool the planet. 2014. Green America. Web.

Nelson, Jennifer K. and Katherine Zeratsky. Should you be a flexitarian? 2011. Healthy Living. Mayo Clinic. Web.

SodaHeads. Global Warming Fart. 2014. SodaHeads. Web.

Vegetarian Times. 2014. Web.

WebMD. The Flexitarian Diet. 2014. WebMD. Web.

Xoxotara files. Flexetarian Food Pyramid. 2010. Web.

Introduction

The issue of vegan diets has taken over the media and is currently perceived as one of the major questions that are not answered yet. Numerous researchers attempted to approach the issue by conducting surveys and experiments (Kluger, 2014). Some of these studies were able to elucidate the fact that food preferences mostly rely on an individuals cultural and psychological features (McCracken, 2016). In other words, the smarter we believe an animal is, the more defenseless it is. For instance, beef eaters tend to accept as true the fact that cows are relatively unwise and cannot think (Kluger, 2014). If we expand on this topic, we will see that those who eat only fish do not consider livestock to be the smartest representatives of fauna.

Psychologists believe that such an approach is rather effective even in post facto terms. It is safe to say that humans believe in justifying the food that they had consumed earlier. Therefore, humans treat similar representatives of fauna in almost the same way because of their reputation, charisma, or unreservedness (Kluger, 2014). This means that a hamburger is a conventional meal but horseburger shall not exist because humans are not savages. Such principled expedience can also be applied when we have to decide if we either want a shark or a dolphin soup (implying that dolphins are helpless and nice to humans, so there is no point to kill them and turn them into a meal ingredient) (Kluger, 2014).

Regardless of the duality of this principled expedience, this seems to be the only way to deal with the ambiguity of our existence. Humans should not pretend that it is good or bad to be a vegetarian as there are upsides and downsides to that decision. Yet, one should realize that a vegetarians truth does not differ from the outlooks of carnivores or pescetarians simply because they chose their path and followed it successfully over the years. The thing is, exposing animals to cruelty and suffering is a bad thing, but the truth is a multi-faceted concept, and we should somehow put up with it.

Nutritional Needs of a Child and an Italian Law

The first reason why a vegan diet should not be imposed on children is that every parent should pay close attention to the needs of their toddlers. Especially, these needs should become a priority when it comes to nutrition (McCracken, 2016). Nowadays, there is so much information regarding this issue that it may be easy to get confused and make wrong decisions. Nonetheless, every parent should remember that the dietary habits of their children depend on their nutritional patterns during their early years. Therefore, it is critical to understand that a healthy affiliation with food should be developed from early childhood (McCracken, 2016). In this case, the impact of vegan parents should be perceived as negative.

The second reason why a vegan diet should not be imposed on children is that the diet should be healthy, so it is reasonable to include products other than vegetables as well. It may happen that the meals created by vegan parents will be rejected by their children for some unknown reason (McCracken, 2016). This should be a perfect sign of the fact that the child does not want to get into that routine and that his or her dietary requirements should be approached conventionally (for instance, by adding meat or protein-containing meals and products to the diet).

The third reason why a vegan diet should not be imposed on children is that they do not allow their children to make an informed choice when they grow older. Instead, they impose their outlooks on their toddlers, and it has negative consequences for all the parties in a long-term perspective (Hunt, 2016). This is why new legislation was proposed in Italy. It suggests that parents that impose a vegan diet on their toddlers should be prosecuted (the basic sentence is one year in prison plus a bigger sentence (three to four years) if the child is not even three years old). These penalties should be applied only if children were exposed to the dangers of malnutrition or were injured by the dietary habits of their parents (Hunt, 2016). Even though some governmental representatives believe that excessive amounts of fat and sugar are way more dangerous than a vegan diet, the risks of the latter should not be underestimated. The decision to implement penalties for vegan parents was made due to an increased occurrence of high-profile cases connected to malnutrition (Palazzo, 2016). Moreover, these cases highlighted the issue of wrongfully developed vegan diets and the importance of healthy food.

Why Veganism May Be the Answer?

One of the points of view that intend to safeguard the beliefs regarding the vegan diet is the opinion that we do not truly realize the importance of the fauna to the environment (Monbiot, 2016). Therefore, we disregard several pivotal ethical problems because we switched from hunting to breeding animals. The adepts of the vegan lifestyle believe that free-range farming is also a negative aspect of those individuals who eat meat (Monbiot, 2016). The key idea is that the world is currently suffering from extensive farming but criticizing this aspect of life will not help to solve the problem. According to vegans, meat-eating individuals are relatively influenced by the image of masculinity. Others conventionally prefer the supposition that the individuals who gave up animal products might threaten those who did not (Monbiot, 2016). The vegan community believes that the legislation proposed by an Italian politician is unfair and limits them in terms of their view of the world (even because an insufficient amount of proteins may leave their children malnourished).

In this case, we should draw a thick line between the definition of extensive farming and the vegan lifestyle simply because these two do not support each other. Of course, vegetables are healthy, but there is a huge difference between a balanced all-around diet and a diet where natural proteins contained in meat have to be replaced by other less notable sources such as eggs and nuts. It is rather hard to imagine that the products mentioned above can be a worthy replacement for a big and juicy piece of meat. The problem gets even bigger when we look at it from the perspective of a child. Toddlers have to grow continually, and proteins that are contained in meat are a kind of a trigger that is intended to spark the growth of their young bodies (Palazzo, 2016). Imposing a vegetarian diet on children means influencing their health and well-being in general. Parents should be responsible for the dietary patterns of their children, but they should not have the right to impose their nutrition preferences on toddlers.

Is a Vegan Diet Healthy for Children?

Numerous lively battles occur between carnivores and vegetarians when it comes to the discussion of a healthy diet that suits the opinion of the majority. This happens because vegan parents think that they help their child and promote his or her health by imposing their vegan on the child (Lewin, 2016). This type of child welfare in disguise is perceived by meat-eaters as a limitation of the childs rights as it is unhealthy and dangerous. The concept of disciplining parents is not new for both meat-eating and vegetarian families. The most interesting fact is that the opposing camps recurrently criticize each other for unhealthy diets and irresponsible parenting. Vegan parents believe that a green diet is the answer to all questions regarding their childrens health and there is nothing wrong about it (Lewin, 2016). Despite the criticism, some vegan parents know how to deal with their diet correctly and what to do if they want their children to develop normally.

The majority of vegan parents still do not pay attention to the dietary needs of their children and simply impose their dietary patterns on their toddlers. It is obvious that eating healthy and being a vegetarian is not easy to combine. When parents deal with growing children, they have to take into account the complexity of their nutritional needs and adjust the dietary pattern in a respective manner (Lewin, 2016). Moreover, millions of people all over the world proved that being a vegetarian and a parent of a vegan child at the same time is possible. They were able to pay attention to detail and develop a peculiar plant-based diet. The most vital aspect of these diets is the amino acid profile. Numerous research studies conducted in the area proved that parents have to combine several products to develop a perfect menu for their children (Lewin, 2016). This diet includes all nine amino acids that are required for the development of the human organism. Therefore, nutrition experts propose a dietary model based on the combinations of plant-based foods (for instance, pita-hummus and rice-beans).

Despite the described benefits of the vegan lifestyle, numerous obstacles might stop an individual from changing their diet to a plant-based nutrition plan. The first and foremost reason is the fact that parents have no right to interfere with the needs of their children. This seems like an authoritarian and relatively doubtful approach to parenting. Even though these parents think that their diet benefits their children, this nutritional plan will most probably harm their toddlers simply because little humans are not yet aware of what they need. Consequently, the responsibility lies on the shoulders of that childs parents and if they choose a plant-based diet, the toddler will become restrained. Eating healthy should not necessarily be equal to eating vegetables or other products of animal origin. Imposing your dietary pattern on a child is negligent and unethical in case if we consider parenting a profession, and if you can stop it only by applying legal penalties, then let it be so.

References

Kluger, J. (2014). Eat animals: Enough with the guilt.Time. Web.

Lewin, J. (2016). Healthy eating: What young children need.BBC GoodFood. Web.

Monbiot, G. (2016). Ive converted to veganism to reduce my impact on the living world.The Guardian. Web.

Hunt, E. (2016). Parents who feed children vegan diet face prosecution under proposed Italian law.The Guardian. Web.

Palazzo, C. (2016). Parents forcing vegan diet on their children face prison time under proposed Italian law.The Telegraph. Web.

McCracken, M. (2016). Is a vegan diet healthy for kids?EcoWatch. Web.

Introduction

There is a great majority of diets and nutrition systems developed all over the world. It seems that thousands of doctors and nutritionists give completely different recommendations on how to comply with excessive weight or balanced nutrition. Atkins diet was first presented in the United States in 1972. After thirteen years, its creator, Doctor Atkins, was recognized as a Man of the Year. This system includes both a diet and nutrition peculiarities. First, the diet is carried out as such, and then the patient should preserve a low-carb diet for a long time. The latter is recommended to preserve and consolidate the result. Atkins nutrition system advantages refer to the fact that a person does not have to starve and feel a constant irritation due to the inability to eat enough. As for the disadvantages, negative manifestations may occur during the uncontrolled conduct of the diet.

Comparison of Atkins Diet with ABC-MV

Adequacy

Adequacy implies that a diet contains enough nutrients, fiber, and calories. To identify whether Atkins diet meets this characteristic, it is important to clarify the products allowed during the diet. Any sorts of meat are allowed in an unlimited amount, and the fatter, the more effective. It is expected that with the help of fats, a person will nourish the body. Seafood and eggs are also allowed as well as cabbage, cucumber, lettuce, and mushrooms. Among the forbidden products, there are absolutely all kinds of fruits, bread, and cereals, alcohol, sugar, fruits, and foods with high sugar. The consumption of onions, peas, sour cream, and tomatoes is limited (see Figure 1 for details).

Such an approach to nutrition cannot be called adequate due to the lack of a balanced intake of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. This cannot have a positive effect on human health. For example, Atkins diet may provoke the appearance of stones in the kidney or gall bladder or increased the possibility of diabetes, thyroid problems, and cardiovascular system failure.

Balance

This characteristic means the balanced proportion of nutrients during the diet. Atkins diet states that the first two weeks is a reduction phase. In this period, one needs to reduce carbohydrate intake to twenty grams (for example, one apple contains about fifteen grams). Thus, the body receives energy not from carbohydrates as customary, but from fats and proteins to some extent, due to which the weight loss occurs. In the subsequent period, the number of carbohydrates maybe increase to one hundred grams. For comparison, modern medicine has proved that for normal functioning of the body, at least 400 grams of carbohydrates are needed daily (Wylie-Rosett et al. 275). Therefore, Atkins diet does not meet the criterion of balance.

Calorie Control

The proper selection of foods to control calorie intake is another characteristic of adequate dieting. Atkins diet encourages dieters to keep their usual rhythm of nutrition: the meals at the same hours as before the diet. If one starts to feel hungry, he or she can slightly snack between meals, but only allowed in the first phase of the diet. In other words, volume and calorie content of food are not limited. Since this diet aims at changing metabolism by the artificial decrease in the intake of carbohydrates into the body, fats become the only source of energy. As a result, it is possible to observe ketoacidosis  intensive decomposition of fats and the formation of ketone bodies (Paoli et al. 792). The level of insulin in the blood decreases, and the level of glucose increases in parallel, which is formed even from a meager amount of carbohydrates. The consumption of high-fat foods also promotes ketoacidosis. Calorie control characteristic seems to be not included in Atkins diet.

Moderation

Moderation may be defined as the consumption of food in reasonable portions. Atkins diet implies that a person may eat a limited number of products, yet in unlimited amounts. However, it is noted that a person should eat only while he or she feels hungry, thereby preventing food craving. What is important, the diet misses the fact that many overweight and obese people cannot control their appetite, especially those diagnosed with bulimia nervosa. In this regard, it is possible to conclude that Atkins diet partially meets the requirement of moderation.

Variety

The wide selection of foods that are allowed during the diet is another characteristic feature of proper nutrition. As it was mentioned earlier, the prohibited products are fruits, cereals, sugar, etc. However, limited carbohydrates are to be replaced by fat and protein. Such dieting leads to fast loss of extra kilograms while maintaining muscle mass, which cannot be said about many other diets. Relatively nourishing food (protein) makes it possible to easily withstand the diet for a long time. One more benefit of Atkins diet is the long-term preservation of the achieved results, which distinguishes this diet from most of the others. The mentioned advantages occur due to a rather sharp decrease in calorie content of food and its carbohydrate component. It is necessary to make a reservation: when people start to gradually expand their diet by introducing products that they used to eat before, the lost weight usually returns. It is possible to conclude that Atkins diet may only partially suit the criterion of variety. If initially it restricts carbohydrates intake, then this diet allows their limited increase, while fats and proteins are not prohibited.

Discussion

American Heart Association (Aha)

According to information provided on AHAs website, Atkins diet may cause toxicity in the body due to the excess of protein. In its turn, it may negatively affect the cardiovascular system, since it is not a balanced diet (Is My Fad Diet). Scholars in the field of cardiology established that eating food rich in animal fats is a direct way to a heart attack. Since Atkins diet recommends such products, the body receives a large amount of fats, proteins, and cholesterol, which significantly increases the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, AHA does not prohibit this diet, but cannot consider it a long-term nutrition option.

American Diabetes Association (Ada)

Reviewing apprehensions and reservations of ADA regarding Atkins diet, Vieira states that this organization is against the mentioned diet as well as against any diets. ADA argues that a diet cannot be healthy and balanced as it limits some important foods to help people in losing their weight. In fact, it is critical to eat healthily and maintain adequate physical activity, as noted by Vieira. It is especially important for people with diabetes to eat carbohydrates rich in fiber and low glycemic load.

American Kidney Association (Aka)

Due to high protein content in the food occurring as a result of low-carb diet and also ketone release by the kidneys, Atkins diet slightly increases the load on the kidneys. In this regard, this diet is not recommended to patients with impaired renal function. In a healthy person, the kidneys easily cope with such a load. Since the muscles are depleted of glycogen stores, people who have been using Atkins diet for a long time are not allowed to exercise. Categorically, pregnant and lactating women as well as people with kidney failure should not adhere to this diet.

American Cancer Society (Acs)

This organization focuses on eating guidelines for cancer prevention and claims that the consumption of enough carbohydrates is one of the key criteria. Even though low-carb diet seems to be an option to lose ones weight, it is unacceptable for a lifelong nutrition. Eating fruits, vegetables, and cereals is linked to healthy nutrition that is critically important for cancer prevention. As noted by ACS, Atkins diet misses essential nutrients and creates a risk for misuse of saturated fat. The organization also noted that unlimited portions may promote overeating and the additional load on the body. Therefore, ACS recommends not to use Atkins diet.

Conclusion

To conclude, Atkins diet has both advantages and disadvantages. It partially meets the criteria of variety and moderation proposed by ABC-MV and fails to correspond to others. Among the advantages, one may note its ability to reduce weight and be quite nutritious, which makes it possible to follow the recommendations in the diet for a long time and after the completion of the diet the results can be kept for a long time. However, as noted by large health organizations, Atkins diet is not balanced and may cause kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and deteriorate the state of people with cancer. Likewise all diets, Adkins nutrition system needs to be monitored by specialists based on ones medical indicators. It should be conducted under the supervision of a doctor and with constant monitoring of the results of relevant analyzes.

Works Cited

Is My Fad Diet Good For My Heart?, AHA, n.d. Web.

Paoli, Antonio, et al. Beyond Weight Loss: A Review of the Therapeutic Uses of Very-Low-Carbohydrate (Ketogenic) Diets. European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 67, no. 8, 2013, pp. 789-796.

Vieira, Ginger. Does the ADA Support a Low-Carb Diet?, Diabetes Daily, n.d. Web.

Wylie-Rosett, Judith, et al. Health Effects of Low-Carbohydrate Diets: Where Should New Research Go?. Current Diabetes Reports, vol.13, no. 2, 2013, pp. 271-278.