Protein Power

Looking for a diet that really shifts those inches? Tried low fat, calorie counting, grapefruit, cabbage and all manner of other food combining, detoxing diet regimes and still the pounds creep back? You may just need a spot of Protein Power.

The Doctors Eades reckon that following this plan will help you to stop treating fat as the enemy, allow you to eat the foods you love, find new energy levels, reset your metabolism, lower "bad" cholesterol levels and raise the "good" and help protect you from high blood pressure and heart disease. Phew.

The plan is based around the principle that the immediate effect of carbohydrate consumption--something that is often encouraged in other diets as carbohydrates have a "filling" effect--lead to an instant increase in blood sugar levels, which in turn leads to an increase in insulin levels and elevated insulin levels are associated with obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. By avoiding foods that boost insulin levels in this way, symptoms are alleviated and weight loss is a welcome side effect.

The recipes, meal plans, exercise ideas and, most importantly, a list of foods that are OK as snacks, make for interesting reading, although the plan itself may at first seem a little regimented. But it certainly does make sense and with a little perseverance it might just work--it certainly won't do you any harm. --Susan Harrison