need fewer servings of each of the food groups that follow. For example, you need 3 to 5 servings daily from the vegetable group, and 2 to 4 servings daily from the fruit group. But, according to the protein diet fruits contain too many carbohydrates and should be avoided. Finally, the Food Pyramid recommends that you only consume 2 to 3 servings daily from both the milk and cheese group and the meat group. Again, this is exactly opposite of what nutritionists who support the protein diet insists on. The protein diet suggests that you consume 40% protein rather than the suggested 10-15%. Furthermore this diet does not consider fat to be the enemy, therefore it is not restricted. However, at the top of the Food Pyramid is where you will find fats, which is suggested to consume sparingly. As you can see this again is different. The protein diet’s battle plans are for carbohydrates only. All of the foods suggested by the Food Pyramid when consumed make up your daily caloric intake. In fact, three of these nutrients provide all of your calories - - carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Balancing calories consumed from these three nutrients is one of the keys to eating healthy. One way to make sure you have a balanced diet is to consume the proper percentage of calories from each of these nutrients. All major professional health organizations, including the American Heart Association, the National Cholesterol Education Program, and the American Cancer Society, endorse a diet that is composed of 10%-15% protein, 55%-60% carbohydrates, and 25%-30% fat calories (4). However, if a you eat the types of meals suggested by the protein diet you consume approximately 40% of your calories from Carbohydrates, 30% of your calories from protein, and 30% from fat (8). As you can see, there is a big difference between the two recommended diets. Why are the three nutrients proportioned so that carbohydrates make up the most of your dail...
