AYHANS VS ATKINS AYHANS VS SOUTH BEACH AYHANS VS SONOMA
Ayhan’s Mediterranean Menu Plans® vs. Atkins Diet™
Why I prefer The Mediterranean Diet
Debra compared Ayhan’s Mediterranean Menu Plans® vs. Atkins Diet™.
The plans are similar in some ways, but Ayhan’s is more balanced and nutritionally sound,
has less restrictions, and is more convenient.
Ayhan’s Mediterranean Menu Plans® |
Atkins® |
| Balanced between protein, fat, carbs | High in fat and protein, low in carbs |
| High in healthy unsaturated (especially mono) fats | High in saturated, unhealthy fat |
| High in fiber which is beneficial to the heart and digestive system and can help prevent certain cancers | Low in fiber; low fiber diets have been linked to constipation, colon cancer, diverticulosis, breast cancer, prostate cancer |
| High in all fruits and vegetables | Limits fruits and vegetables |
| High in essential vitamins and minerals obtained only from carbs, fruits and vegetables | |
| High in calcium from low fat dairy | Low in calcium |
| Healthy, steady, and permanent weight loss | Short-term weight loss |
| When carbs are re-introduced, weight gain occurs rapidly and typically weight exceeds the weight when a person was before the diet | |
| Risk of constipation is low b/c of high fiber content | Can result in constipation |
| Allows moderate amount of wine, which has been shown to be heart healthy | Does not allow wine, which prevents a person from getting the heart healthy benefits from it |
| Life long eating style | Short term eating style; nearly impossible to eat low carb for a lifetime; drop out rate is high |
| Can cause bad breath from ketosis (body uses fat as energy in the absence of carbohydrates) | |
| High in phytochemicals (“disease fighting weapons”) found only in fruits and vegetables | Low in phytochemicals |
| Allows for some sweets which helps prevent a feeling of deprivation, and subsequent binge eating | Can lead to cravings and binging b/c of deprivation |
| Ketosis does not occur | The process of using fat as energy in the absence of carbs can cause an increase in ketones and uric acid which can cause kidney problems, gout and headaches |
| An energizing diet that helps to improve exercise performance | Can decrease energy levels, resulting in poor exercise preformance |
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