Atkins is a high-protein diet, glowingly endorsed by celebrities the likes of Renee Zellweger or Geri Halliwell, who claimed that it was not only effective in helping them slim down, but it would also prevent the pounds for piling back on. It was elaborated by Robert Atkins, a U.S. heart doctor, and its basic principle is eating very large amounts of protein while at the same cutting almost all carbohydrate intakes – including fruit.
For example, a cheese omelet would be ideal for breakfast, lunch would be made up of a cheeseburger with salad and dressing but without the bread, and for dinner, fish with buttered vegetables would do just fine. The popularity of the Atkins diet diminished when it emerged that it had unpleasant side-effects such as constipation and mood-swings. It was also believed to increase the risk of developing heart disease and kidney problems.
On the other hand the GI diet distinguishes between “good” and “bad” carbohydrates and is based on eating only the former type, which releases energy from food and prevents hunger pangs. “Good” carbs are beans, vegetables and wholemeal bread, whereas “bad” carbs include white bread, white rice and refined breakfast cereals. A day’s meals according to the GI diet could be made up of porridge with wholemeal toast, lentil soup would make a perfect lunch and spaghetti with meat sauce would be a good choice for dinner. So, what do you think is best?
