Disadvantages Of Weight Watchers

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All dietary carbohydrates, from the starch in bread to the sugar in a soda, result in the same physiological effect; being digested and converted into glucose. However, the rate and speed of digestion and blood glucose response are determined by the structure of the carbohydrate. Consuming candy with 10 grams of carbs compared to a carrot with 10 grams of carbs will both be metabolized to glucose and yield the same exact amount of energy. The main difference between the candy and the carrot is the speed the glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream and insulin response. Certain foods and beverages will cause a sudden blood sugar increase while others carbs are absorbed into the blood much slower for a more sustained response. In order to determine …show more content…

The program warns dieters of the dangers of rapid weight loss and carefully points out that individuals lose weight, at different rates depending on age, gender, current weight, commitment, fitness level, and makes no guarantees about how quickly weight can be lost (Weight Watchers, 1999). The first stage is known as “10% difference”, during which dieters are expected to drop 5-10%of their current weight. This allows participants to stay motivated and finish the last two stages “feel the difference” and “live the difference”. Ideally, the program was modeled that participants would lose 2 pounds per week, following the “10% difference” phase when weight is lost much more easily. The program of the diet is designed such that foods are assigned a point value, based on calories, fat, and fiber content. The average diet ranges from 1,225 to 1,745 calories per day. Individuals are allotted a specific range of total points per day that is based on their current body weight and weight goal (22-29 points is typical). Dieters are not mandated to used their points at certain times and can distaste them throughout the day to their choosing. Weekly meetings or group meetings and weekly weigh-ins are part of the …show more content…

The Zone diet simplifies this to what they refer to as blocks. 1 protein block = 7 grams. 1 carbohydrate block = 9 grams and 1 fat block=1.5 grams. Individuals are expected to eat the same number of protein, carbohydrate, and fat blocks for each meal and snack, and mandated to not go five hours without eating. There is no exact amount of blocks required for each individual, rather the program requires the dieter to determine the maximum amount of protein blocks they can consume while achieving weight loss. When beginning the Zone diet the individual 's daily protein requirement is determined by calculating the dieter 's weight, the level of physical activity, and percentage of body fat. Once protein intake is determined, it can be used to find the individuals fat and carbohydrate ratio. The majority of caloric energy is derived from proteins and fats and are the focus when planning food for an individual 's diet. Carbohydrates only make up 40% of the caloric energy, which is exceptionally lower than the USDA’s recommended 60%. Sears recommends only eating low-fat protein, fibre-rich carbohydrates, and monounsaturated fat. Table 2 outlines foods Seas recommends avoiding because of their high glycemic index, which includes many fruits and vegetables that would generally be deemed as healthy. However the Zone diet’s aim is to drastically reduce the amount of carbohydrates that enter the

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