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High-fat low carb ketogenic diet like Atkins best for weight loss, says doctor

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One of the nation's leading obesity experts, Dr. Eric Westman heads up the Duke Lifestyle Medicine Clinic. In contrast to the majority of physicians who advocate low-fat diets that contain complex carbohydrates like grains, Dr. Westman believes that eating more fat and minimal carbohydrates is the way to go to boost weight loss while reducing your risk of obesity and diabetes. He is co-author of "New Atkins for a New You: The Ultimate Diet for Shedding Weight and Feeling Great" (click for details).

In a recent interview with CBN News, Dr. Westman explained how high protein, high fat, low carb ketogenic diets work.

Carbohydrates provide energy. However, if you eat more carbs than your body needs, those excess carbs become excess body fat.

"I went to the mall, and there was a gentleman," he said. "I calculated he could live for a year without eating, he was carrying around so much extra energy. We look at that: it's fat, but it's just extra energy."

However, by cutting carbohydrates to 20 grams a day, Westman contends that you can burn that stored fat while boosting weight loss.

Carbohydrates include whole grains and fruit. For example, a piece of whole wheat bread has 20 grams of carbohydrates and one banana has 27.

"I separate out fruits and vegetables," Westman explained. "I'll never say them in the same sentence. Fruits are high in sugar. Vegetables have much less sugar."

"So we want people to have vegetables," he said. "Fruits are an every now and again treat, like candy or something, that you wouldn't have every day."

How to replace those carbohydrates? Turn to protein and fat, says Westman. Find out more about the Atkins diet:



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