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spirit
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The
CSIRO total wellbeing diet
Australia
is currently in the midst of a new diet revolution (no, not Atkins,
but some say close). The CSIRO diet is currently Australia's no.1
diet book. For our international friends who is the CSIRO anyway?
"The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, has been dedicated
to the practical application of knowledge and science for society
and industry since 1928 and today ranks in the top one per cent
of world scientific institutions in twelve of twenty-two research
fields. CSIRO Health Sciences and nutrition conducts research
into human health, including disease prevention, diagnosis and
innovative treatment." (1)
So they have credibility, but do they deliver?
CSIRO Formula
"Low- kilo joule, protein-plus, low fat eating plan"
is how they describe it.
Here is the diet broken into the macronutrients:
33% protein / 26% fat / 36% carbohydrates / 3% alcohol.
Kilo joule needs (fancy word for energy) are calculated with a
formula using individuals:
| 1. |
resting
metabolic rate (energy required to maintain body systems at
rest), |
| 2. |
thermic
effect of food intake (the energy needed to eat, digest and
store food), |
| 3. |
thermal
effect of activity (how active you are). |
Like
all diets there are positive and negative aspects to the CSIRO
approach.
Positives
| • |
Reducing
the amount of starchy carbohydrates is the backbone to the
diet essentially, coupled with an increase in protein. Why?
Starchy foods (high glycemic) raise an individual's insulin
levels potentially leading to weight gain and protein rich
foods help you feel satisfied for longer. So for those people
eating according to the food pyramid with grains being the
backbone to the diet, this diet will undoubtedly bring results.
So in short it's meat and vegetables for lunch and dinner.
|
| • |
Exercise
takes a chapter; including the importance of a combination
of resistance and aerobic exercise.
|
| • |
Excellent
recipes and written menu plans are provided as a guide and
inspiration. |
Negatives
| • |
Once
again we see a 'one size fits all' diet. Over the last 2 months
I have written about metabolic typing and individuality in
regards to diet. This diet resembles a mixed/protein type
structure, which will also undoubtedly benefit many in Australia
particularly those of Northern European descent. But over
time this may be too much protein for a carbohydrate type
who should be eating a ratio closer to 60% carbohydrates and
40% protein and fats.
|
| • |
For
breakfast the diet recommends boxed cereals which generally
have very little nutritional value (see grains friend or foe
article in October issue) along with that milk. Now with serious
doubts about pasteurised and homogenised milk, and the countless
people (unknown to themselves) who are lactose intolerant,
this poses another potential health problem.
|
| • |
There
are also several foods recommended with health concerns, including
soy products (please see this months Scary Truth article on
Soy), and artificial sweeteners (heavily documented research
into dangers - check out mercola.com - worlds largest health
newsletter).
|
| • |
They
also do not highlight the difference between the qualities
of the produce. It was very exciting to see the amount of
organic stores in Australia, particularly in Melbourne. We
are becoming very aware of the dangers of pesticides, hormones,
antibiotics and other chemicals added to our produce. I also
believe not only for health reasons, but also ethically meat
eaters have a responsibility to consume free-range products;
a visit to a chicken battery farm will highlight the awful
conditions for the animals.
|
| • |
The
CSIRO diet recommends removing the fat from animals, this
is especially important if the animal is not organic free
range as the fat is where animals (including ourselves) store
toxins. That's why a good detox promotes fat loss. |
Overall
I give this diet 7 out of 10 as it encourages people to eat more
whole foods, which by getting people away from packaged food gets
results, and the recipes are excellent.
Your 3d Coach
Craig
Burton
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