More diet issues

[Leslie Ferguson]

Caveat #1: This article Dangerous diets - calcium issues (http://channels.netscape.com/ns/homerealestate/package.jsp?name=fte/dangerousdiets/dangerousdiets) came from Netscape so i cannotcompletely vouch for the source(s).

Caveat #2: I'm not sure where to look for corroborative evidence but I submit the article for discussion and to (hopefully) trigger research about diets.

Caveat #3: No pride of authorship here so "wail away" - you won't hurt my feelings.

Peace,
Les

[tbb113]

Interesting article. I know awhile ago there was some information on how three dairy serving a day could help you lose weight. However as someone who only likes milk if its chocolate, shaked or malted :D I personally was not willing to try this. I do know that I probably don't get enough calcium from my diet especially since I've been doing Atkins. However, I am taking a daily multi-vitamin and trying to eat cheese and other foods. But I just checked my FITDAY report for the last month and am only at 56% of the RDA for calcium for my diet :(

[scrappycat]

Wow that is interesting! I was really fascinated by the idea of low-fat dairy products changing the way your fat cells do their job. Last year, I began replacing our dairy products with low-fat. I usually don't go totally fatfree except on some things. Since I love Mediterranean foods, we get plenty of dairy: lowfat ricotta cheese, lowfat feta cheese, and lots of lowfat yogurt. So, I don't think I'm in any danger of being low in calcium!

I don't go with any specific diet plan. We eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, chicken and fish, and not so much red meat. I guess our only weakness is bread. I love to bake bread, so we have it pretty much at every dinner. We also have wine with dinner. But I think it all balances out.

Pam

[kwormann]

Im a bit suprised...well actually not. The media has always bashed the Atkins diet without reserarching about it! I use to believe them until I actually read the book. I have also read the Somersize books. Both advocate enough calcium in the form of both dairy AND leafy greens/vegetables!!!

[LHBryan]

Les,
Thanks for the interesting article. The most recent issue of Prevention magazine (August, I think) featured a very similar article. Makes a lot of sense to me!
Thanks, Laura

[wallycat]

Calcium offers a lot of great things for the body, but according to some early studies I've read, it really doesn't do anything for osteoporosis. It is the Vitamin D in the milk that helps with bone density. If your multi has vitamin D, you should be OK--or if you're out in the sun regularly because your skin converts UV rays to make vitamin D.

[Pico]

I saw this artice as well (don't you love those AOL pop-ups?). I was a bit skeptical about the calcium/weight loss connection, though. I've heard of that study, but I seem to remember reading that several others have found no link. Not that that's a reason to skimp on the stuff--it appears important in so many other body processes.

[funnybone]

I started a thread some time ago on weight loss and dairy. Here it is:
http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13193&highlight=dairy


I've copied the article on it:

Dairy and Weight Loss
By Fran Berkoff
www.canadianliving.mochasofa.ca

If you’ve given up dairy products because you think they’re fattening, think again. New research suggests that foods such as milk, yogurt and other dairy sources of calcium may actually help you lose weight.

"When you’re on a low-calorie diet, the body’s natural drive is to be more efficient and conserve fat," explains Michael Zemel, professor of nutrition and medicine at the University of Tennessee. When you add calcium to a low-calorie diet, your body releases a hormone that affects fat cells and increases your body’s ability to break down fat, he says. Calorie counting is still important, but dietary calcium can help your body decide if those calories will be stored as fat or burned.

The level of calcium that appears to be effective is 1,200 to 1,600 milligrams a day, and research suggests that food sources – not supplements – are best. Zemel adds that a high-calcium diet is also important for weight maintenance and prevention of obesity.

[greysangel]

You don't need to drink milk to get calcium. In defense of Body for Life, it promotes a balanced diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and protein. I get plenty of calcium with leafy greens and cottage cheese alone :D

JeAnne