What Really Makes You Fat? Should you count calories or carbs? The latest research may surprise you - Well written and balanced article. And in the same issue, a debate between Atkins and Ornish - Low Fat vs. Low Carb The doctors present their dueling diet theories:. Atkins says,

For over 30 years, I've been a lone voice in the wilderness. I am grateful that the National Institutes of Health is now examining controlled-carbohydrate and low-fat nutrition. These studies may end up showing that excessive carbohydrates are the true culprits, not fat. At what point am I allowed to say, "I told you so"?

I have written about that frequently over the past months. Ornish responds,

Here's how you lose weight: burn more calories. Eat fewer calories. That's it.

You can burn more calories by exercising. You can eat fewer calories by consuming less food. You can lose weight on any diet, but it is hard to keep the pounds off because you feel hungry and deprived. An easier way to consume fewer calories is to eat less fat, because there are nine calories in each gram of fat, whereas protein and carbohydrates have only four. So eating less fat allows you to consume fewer calories without eating less food.

I agree with the high-protein advocates that it is wise to eat fewer simple carbohydrates, like sugar, white flour and white rice. They are also low in fiber, so you get a lot of calories that don't fill you up. On top of that, simple carbohydrates get absorbed quickly, causing your blood sugar to zoom up. Your body responds by making more insulin, but too much insulin accelerates conversion of calories into body fat.

The goal, however, is not to go from simple carbohydrates to bacon and brie. Instead you should opt for whole foods with complex carbohydrates such as unrefined whole-wheat bread, brown rice, fruits, vegetables and beans. These are packed with thousands of protective substances. In addition, they are rich in fiber, which slows their absorption, thus preventing a spike in your blood sugar and an excessive insulin response.

They really are not that far apart. This is a good reference.