WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
DIET TRENDS: HIGH PROTEIN DIETS FOR WEIGHT LOSS Claire Chaudhry Community NHS Dietitian/ Private Dietitian BCUHB/ Claire Sports Nutrition
‘Trend’: meaning; to roll around, turn, revolve.1 Popular trends, like diets and styles of denim jeans, often complete a full circle many times throughout our adult lives. Now we are seeing a comeback for the high protein diet for weight loss. Here, Claire examines the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of diet.
In Claire’s 15 years of experience she has worked in acute and community NHS settings. Claire has taught Nutrition topics at universities and colleges and regularly provides talks to groups, NHS and private. www. dietitianclaire.com
In 2004, I had my second interview with a journalist for a local paper, with a sensational headline: ‘Fad diets like Atkins could be harmful’. The headline was decided by the journalist Justine Bailey and not quoted by me. In the article, I emphasised the importance of a balanced diet for weight loss, steering clear of diets that omit food groups and offer quick fixes. I also emphasised consulting a dietitian for sound individual nutritional advice. Sian Porter RD also provided the same advice to the BBC in 2013: ‘Atkins and the never-ending battle over carbs’.2 Now, in 2017, here we trend again! The high protein diet for weight loss has been making a comeback recently thanks to celebrity’s promotion from Kim Kardashian and actress Melissa McCarthy. According to an internet search on ‘high protein diet’ you will: • lose weight and tame hunger; • do your body good; • help with efforts to build muscle; • lose fat; • improve your sleep.
For full article references please email info@ networkhealth group.co.uk
The three popular high protein diets that are available for weight loss are the Dukan diet by Dr Pierre Dukan,3 the Atkins diet by Dr Robert Atkins,4 and the Paleolithic diet made popular by Loren Cordain.5 These diets were first devised in the 1970s and have evolved over the past 40 years, yet, even today, they remain controversial with regards to long-term health. These diets promote a high dietary intake of protein
foods and encourage the complete omission, or a very low intake of other food groups, e.g. starchy carbohydrates, fruit, legumes and dairy. HOW MUCH PROTEIN DO WE NEED?
DRVs for protein intake in the UK are set for different populations; the RNI for protein for adults ages 19-50 females and males is 45gm and 55gm daily respectfully.6 Daily RNI of protein as part of a balanced diet can be obtained from: 200mls of semi skimmed milk, 130gm of roasted chicken and four tablespoons of baked beans = 51gm.7 The majority of the UK’s free living adult population consume more than this amount on a daily basis. HOW MUCH IS HIGH PROTEIN?
A Department of Health panel recommends a maximum amount of protein in a day for an adult to be no more than 1.5gm per kg, yet, there is insufficient evidence regarding this maximum amount. The Dietetic Manual states that over-consumption of protein above the maximum intake, offers no increased benefit in the body and may have certain health risks, e.g. kidney disease and osteoporosis.8 As well as the above high protein diets being advertised for weight loss, there are also food manufacturers that have launched their own range of high protein products. The number of products launched with an increase amount of protein added has increased by almost 40% in the last year and by www.NHDmag.com June 2017 - Issue 125
33