My friend Diane’s diet allows, nay, encourages her to eat cheesecake. That’s right, cheesecake: the fat-laden, richer than rich, utterly delectable dessert (which just so happens to be a favorite of yours truly). This discovery was made while Diane, I and two other media studies seniors stood in her fabulous gourmet kitchen a few Friday evenings ago. We all looked at her with envious disbelief. “Cheesecake?” I repeated (or whimpered, depending on who you ask). “Yeah, I’m doing Atkins,” she explained simply. “Ohhhh…” we all nodded in understanding unison, our expressions having now changed to plain, additive-free envy.
A few years ago, such an explanation would have been most likely met with blank stares. And yet, this relatively recent crop of diet fads/trends/miracles (or whatever you like to call them), has bestowed upon our culture a slew of diet based slang that has left few tongues unturned.
These days, in response to inquires about ones seemingly odd eating habits, a person needs only to reply “I’m on the Color/Raw Food/Atkins/Zone/Hollywood/(insert applicable diet here)” and the questioner will most likely either nod, ask questions (“isn’t that the one Jennifer Aniston is on?”) or compare notes (“have you tried the Atkins ice cream?”).
While Atkins is currently the most popular and most talked about diet, there are plenty of others that have gained momentum in the mainstream. Take, for instance, the raw food movement. Raw food, you ask? Like carrot sticks and such? The answer to this question depends largely upon whom you ask; according to followers of the raw food movement, there’s a lot more to it than that, but from what I can surmise: yes (with the admission that the carrot is not limited to the stick shape, as is demonstrated in many raw food recipes).
As there are so many diets floating along the mainstream (cooked and uncooked alike), I thought I’d arm you with a diet dictionary of sorts, explaining the specifics and ideas behind each. Below I have listed four of the most prevalently discussed/referenced diets for your perusing pleasure. Bon appetit!
Atkins: the granddaddy of the nouveau diets. Although it has taken off in the last few years, Dr. Atkins had (please notice my use of the past-tense, as Dr. Atkins passed away recently under a cloud, or should I say clog, of high cholesterol suspicion) been spearheading the campaign against carbs since the early 1970’s. The basic premise is this: the human body turns first to stored sugar as a means for fuel. So, by reducing your carbohydrate (sugar) intake, your body is forced to look elsewhere, and does so by converting stored fat into energy, thereby leading to weight loss. What do people eat in lieu of the bread, fruit, vegetables and pasta they must bid adieu? Why, they eat meat stacked upon meat with a side of meat (and the occasional cheesecake, of course).
South Beach: The newest darling of the low carb craze, the South Beach diet proves to be a bit more user friendly, as it combines the best of the low-carb and low-fat worlds by urging its followers to remove only bad carbs (high glycemic) like white bread and pasta, and bad fats (saturated and trans).
The Zone: Followed by celebs such as Jennifer Aniston (the oh-so-fashionable Friend), The Zone focuses mostly on hormones, more specifically the balancing of these hormones for optimal health results. The idea is this: meals are based on a 40-30-30 ratio, where 40% of the meal is comprised of carbs (low glycemic preferably), 30% protein, and 30% fats. This ratio is supposed to help control insulin, one of the body’s most powerful hormones, therefore getting a person into “The Zone”, a term coined by the diet’s creator, Dr. Sears.
Raw Food Diet: This diet is a more of a lifestyle commitment. And considering the intense limitations, one would need to be quite committed in order to succeed. Followers believe that heating food above 188 degrees robs it of most of its nutritional value. Fear not, they do not share the love of meat with those on Atkins (no beef sushi consumption necessary) but instead eat only raw fruits, vegetables and nuts. What could possibly be gained from eating a diet of raw ruffage? Raw foodies claim that going the uncooked route is comparable to the discovering fountain of youth, including benefits such as increased energy, excess weight loss and a noticeable halt in the aging process.
The above four are but a handful of the many, many diets that are being touted as the “answer” to weight loss. I myself am drawn to the philosophy of the Martini Diet, authored by Jennifer Sander. No, it doesn’t consist of a liquid lunch by way of gin, but instead promotes epicurean pampering through moderation. The idea is to enjoy the very best foods in limited quantities (the martini glass serves as a perfect portion measure) and to do so only at mealtime. Hmm… it sounds like the Sex and the City version of what your mother used to tell you. So, here’s to all-meat meals, uncooked carrot “burgers” and good old moderation. Salut!