The New High Protein Diet: How to Lose Fat the Quicker, Safer, Easier Way - And Never Go Hungry [Paperback]

The diet is divided into two stages: 'weight loss' and 'maintenance'. The weight loss phase is by no means NO carb... bread is allowed! However the author doesn't really devote a lot of time to explaining how readers can transition to the 'maintenance' phase successfully. As a result, some people may be scared to start re-introducing carbs into their diets. Maybe he'll bring out Part II to deal with this.

All in all, worth buying.

Clark argues that you have to understand how your body works, how it burns fuel. Most people who diet fail; they end up chasing elusive weight loss, yo-yoing from higher weight to lower weight and back again as they lose interest or momentum. Simply counting calories can leave you hungry ... prone to nibble or snack, disillusioned, demoralised, bored. If you give up, you lose faith in yourself, feel like a failure, feel bad.

Clark says that the body needs a balanced, varied diet of proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats, and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, however, are compounds of sugars and starches: they may be essential energy food, but eat too many and your body rapidly converts the excess to fat, storing it for future use rather than burning it to fuel your immediate needs.

Reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates, your body will not build up reserves of fat, you'll feel healthier, your weight will fall and, as well as losing fat, you'll find yourself feeling more energetic without feeling hungry. To lose weight, reduce carbohydrates, not calories.

So cut out cakes, pasta, bread, rice, biscuits, beer - reduce carbohydrate intake to 40-50 grams a day while you lose weight, then maybe increase the level once your body weight has stabilised at its natural level (though eat wholemeal bread, pasta or rice then).

Clark offers a very accessible book - it is easy to understand. He explains the science without talking down to or patronising his audience. His writing style is logical, supportive - you don't feel hectored, you don't feel he's lecturing you. This is good advice, well delivered, conscientious, thoughtful. Think about who you are and how you enjoy life. Don't just rush into a diet - understand the logic of it first.

Clark offers some basic advice on exercise - keep active, but do it sensibly. He suggests that you eat a hearty breakfast - it sets you up for the day. And there are 150 pages of recipes. It's a useful range of meals - don't try to stick too rigidly to his suggestions, but use his recipes as a guideline for the sorts of healthy, enjoyably food you would like to be eating. What best suits your lifestyle? Think in terms of planning your diet for the week (allow yourself some flexibility), and use the recipes as a means of getting yourself into good eating habits. Identify what works for you, experiment, and find your own gastronomic routines.

But, of course, you want to know does it work? Well, I'm a big, big bloke - 6' 2" and built like a heavyweight boxer. I don't drive - I walk a lot, I get a reasonable amount of exercise. I've also got a bit of extra weight around my middle ... and maybe other places ... legacy of a love of beer, biscuits, and sandwiches. I could afford to lose two stone, maybe a bit more. And I've never tried a diet in my life before.

Well, I phased myself into Clark's diet. I finished off the bread, the cereal, the fresh fruit, etc., in my kitchen. I finished the coffee and milk. I started easing myself into the low carb diet. It was painless, I didn't feel hungry, I didn't crave foods. After a couple of weeks, and despite a relapse (I had a couple of beers ... well, maybe four pints to be precise), my weight is easing off consistently. I look slimmer, feel more nimble.

Most significantly, I feel less tired, I feel more energetic. I've been inspired to investigate the diet a bit more, and I feel happy about it. I don't feel restricted, I don't feel like I'm putting myself through my own personal hell. In fact, I don't notice that I'm on a 'diet'. I'm not. I'm just eating sensibly and getting on with life ... which is what learning good habits is all about.

The first couple of days were not the best because my body felt really heavy and I just wanted to curl up and go to sleep. Also, I experienced some mild headaches - something I rarely experience normally. I can only assume this is the time when the body is adjusting and could possibly have been a result of the restricted caffeine requirement.

Now I have adjusted, I find that my eating habits are moving towards the standard 3 meals per day - although still room for snacking on some chicken drumsticks! I have no headaches and actually seem to have more energy than when I was eating carbohydrates.

The book is extremely simple to read and the Dr Clark gets his point across very quickly. However, he does reiterate the point constantly which I found rather annoying after a while.
In essence the main points are to restrict carbohydrates and increase proteins and vegetables - simple. You may notice a slight increase in your shopping bill however. The delicious range of meats and cheeses you can now eat can work out a little expensive.

Also provided in the book are plenty of recipes to keep you interested. One of the main benefits for me is being able to eat a cooked breakfast every morning - in fact Dr Clark encourages a good solid meal to start the day.

Aside from feeling quite hot most of the time, I think this diet is actually working already. I can feel less fat around my sides and lower back - and that is within 5 days.

I promised myself I would try the diet for 2 weeks. I can only advise you to do the same - there are lot of worse things you could do.