Weight Loss
We offer the medically designed Ideal Protein method of weight loss here at Mesa Chiropractic:
What Is the Ideal Protein Diet Method?
The Ideal Protein Diet is a commercial diet that was developed by a medical doctor named Tran Tien Chanh, MD, PhD. It was designed 25 years ago as a means of preserving lean body mass including muscles, bones and other tissues while losing fat. The diet’s designer, Dr. Tran Tien Chanh, MD, PhD spent his career specializing in the treatment of obesity and obesity related disease.
The Theory Behind the Ideal Protein Diet
During his years of treating obesity, Dr. Chahn came to believe that the biggest source of weight problems was rooted in the body’s dysfunctional use of insulin. This insulin dysfunction starts in human beings by excessive intake of simple carbohydrates, processed foods, sugar and saturated fat.
According to Dr. Tran Tien, this type of diet led to an ever increasing cycle of increased sugar and fat cravings, which led to weight gain, which led to poor insulin function – all which circled back on themselves in a worsening spiral of weight gain and poor health.
The Ideal Protein Diet is designed to break this cycle by limiting carbohydrate and sugar intake, supplementing with important electrolytes and vitamins and teaching the body to live off of its own stored fat.
To accomplish this, Dr. Tran Tien developed a line of high protein, low fat, low carbohydrate products that eat along with healthy food options like leafy green vegetables and lean protein.
Four Phases
The diet takes place in four phases.
Phase One
In the first phase, dieters take three prepackaged protein drinks per day and eat one meal that includes a lean protein and leafy vegetables. Supplements are also an important part of the first phase, which is extremely low calorie, low fat and low carbohydrate. The first phase lasts until 90% of your weight loss goal is acheived.
Phase Two
Phase two lasts from one to two weeks. In the second phase, dieters are allowed two limited meals that include 5 ounces of lean meat or poultry with raw or cooked vegetables and two tablespoons of oil. Two meals are also taken that include the protein packs. Some lean dairy is also allowed in the second phase. Calories, fat and carbohydrates are still fairly low.
Phase Three
In phase three, healthy carbohydrates are reintroduced. This phase lasts about two weeks total. During phase three, a small serving of whole grain carbohydrates such as whole wheat toast or whole grain (sugar-free) cereal are added to breakfast, along with a piece of fruit. Lunch and dinner consist of five ounces of lean meat or poultry, green vegetables, a small amount of oil and a serving of lean dairy. An afternoon protein snack such as protein powder is allowed.
Phase Four
In this phase, the dieter is reintroduced to their “every day” diet. The breakfast from phase three is maintained with a small amount of protein introduced, as well. Lunch brings six to seven ounces of lean protein and unlimited vegetables. Low fat dairy and oil are also allowed at this meal. Protein powder is still recommended for an afternoon snack, and dinner is vegetable soup, an once of a complex carbohydrate grain such as whole grain pasta and lean protein.
What to Expect
With Ideal Protein you can lose an average of three to seven pounds of fat per week. Those on the diet confirm that, provided you follow the diet exactly, this is a realistic goal, and increased energy is a bonus. The diet even provides advice for how to handle the slip ups that naturally occur as a part of the weight loss and maintenance process.
Conclusion
This diet is a low carbohydrate, calorie restricted diet. Unlike other low carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins diet, it limits fat intake as a means of controlling calories, and unlike traditional calorically controlled diets, it limits the number of carbhydrates you eat. If you select this diet, it is important that you follow the diet exactly as prescribed. Eating outside of the plan hampers the chemical process that takes place to balance your insulin production. Before going on any diet, it is important that you check with your personal health care provider.
Here is me on the first day of the diet, and exactly 4 weeks (28 days) later, then at 2 months! It has been 10 weeks and I have lost 52 pounds!
