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Carbohydrate Addicts Diet
The Carbohydrate Addicts diet was written in 1993 by authors Rachel Heller MD, and Richard Heller MD. The success of the book has led to a number of follow-up books, many of which have been on bestseller lists.
The premise behind the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet (CAD) is that most overweight people are addicted to carbohydrates. The Hellers’ claim that most people fail to metabolize carbohydrates correctly, causing an imbalance of insulin levels. The elevated insulin levels cause a craving for food throughout the day.
Addiction to Carbohydrates?
Over the last few decades, refined sugars have played an increasing role in our diets. Authorities have esposed a low-fat diet – which has inadvertently lead to people eating far more carbohydrate than is necessary (given our generally sedentary lifestyles). It should be no surprise that many people have become accustomed to highly sweetened foods. Whether this qualifies as an addiction is up for debate.
Carbohydrate Addicts Eating Plan
At its foundation is a reduction of carbohydrate intake. The rules are strict, with the diet providing a long list of foods, that are on the “allowed” list. Anything not in this list must be avoided.
Each day is split into 2 main meals – 2 meals are made up of a protein source (fish, poultry, lean red meat) and fibrous vegetables. The 3rd meal is called the “reward” meal – this can be anything you want, but you should aim for a balance of 1/3 carbohydrate, 1/3 protein, and 1/3 fibrous (non-starchy vegetables). This reward meal must be consumed inside 1 hour.
The diet begins with a restricted 2 week phase, but then goes into a variety of eating plans – depending on whether you are maintaining or losing more weight.
Sensible or Not?
The book does start with a set of questions to determine whether you are a “Carbohydrate Addict”. The questions will deteremine whether the diet is appropriate for you.
Research over the last 5 years has shown considerable health benefits arising from moderating carbohydrate intake. However many find such diets difficult to sustain over the long term – much of our social eating patterns are based around carbohydrate foods.
Many people have found success with this plan (as with many low-carbohydrate approaches). Proteins and fats often lead to a greater feeling of fullness – leading the dieter to consume less energy as compared with a high carbohydrate diet.
Generally, we do eat too much processed carbohydrate (white flours, bakery foods, white rice and pasta, etc). This must surely be a contributor to obesity problems – but does not mean that all carbs are the enemy.
See Also
Carbohydrate Addicts – Carbohydrate Addicts official home page.
I love this diet! I was on this diet/lifestyle for almost 2 years. I went from a size 12 to a size 4. However, I got sick and my doc perscribed a seriod and now I am back to size 12. I know I needed the medication to get better but man it feels like I am starting all over. All my “little” clothes are in the back of the closet now. So here I am starting at the begining again… sigh.
I lost about 20 lbs painlessly, years ago. I could eat normal,and I was satisfied. Then I got side tracked, and my reward meal became a binge meal. I believe it is truth, and a lifetime program, to be able to eat and be satisfied. It takes a little effort, but it is a whole lot easier than small meals, that just leave you hungier than when you started.
I am starting it today. 2009
I am on day 5 of the Carb Addicts Diet and I feel great! I am usually exhausted by lunch time and desperate for a nap. But for the last 4 days I have had more energy than I have had in a really long time. I am not hungry. I enjoy my meals, and if I craze sweets, I can put it off because I know that I can have something small for supper. I have lost 2 lbs. so far, and my weight doesn’t seem to be fluctuating as much day to day as it did on the carbs. I believe this may be the diet that can finally change me and that I can follow long term.
Jackie, if you see this reply, there are no phases, it’s really simple and I disagree with the review about the long lists etc, it’s actually simpler than that. Treat yourself to the book and you won’t regret it.. I used this ten years ago to stop a cycle of binge-eating after I went through a tough patch, and I’m back on it after getting careless. This works, and is much healthier than Atkins because you do get to eat carbs, just not grazing all day on them like the typical diet tells you to do.
Does anybody know if there are any phases to this diet? If there are what is the first phase like? I am very interested in starting this diet, seems very manageable
I think I may be able to do this one. I must do something and it seems almost impossible for me to lose weight.
I need help!
This is the easiest and the best diet I have ever been.Highly recommended.I was a carb junkie. This diet has really helped me control those cravings and my yo yo weight.
Just starting diet. Heard about this diet from a friend and her husband. Both husband and wife say this diet works great and they recommend it. So, hopefully in a couple of weeks I will be able to get on here and have some great news about how many pounds I have lost following this diet.
I tried this years ago,lost 20lbs.I am back on it again and am never hungry.I realize I love carbs but I can have some in the reward meal so it is something to look forward to.
I lost about 50lbs in 3 months on this diet. i went on vacation and ate what i wanted and still ended up losing about 10 more pounds. i just had twins and so i’ve gained a ton of weight….getting ready to start again. I’ll admit the first couple of weeks were difficult. I almost quit several times, but once you get past that beginner’s hump the weight starts to literally FLY/MELT, whatever you want to call it, off. Then, once people start noticing and giving you compliments it’s like someone lights a fire in the machine. Thats the way it was for me anyways and I was hooked. I’m definitely excited to be starting it again.
GOOD LUCK!!
The Carbohydrate Addicts diet works really does reduce food cravings. How can you argue with a diet that encourages people to eat low fat protein, healthy fats and veggies? The “cheat meal” sounds like a gimmick, and it is, but it also allows dieters to have SOME lush carbs like cake or pie, provided they eat a healthy meal FIRST and limit their splurges to once a day. For many people, that will be a HUGE improvement.
I LOST 40 POUNDS IN 3 MONTHS WITH THIS DIET. I READ THE CARBOHYDRATE ADDICTS DIET BY DR. HELLER & HELLER
I’ve used this diet twice: once in the 1990s and again this year. The first time, I lost 40 lbs and kept it off. This time, I’ve lost 20 lbs. I am terribly lazy and hate to cook, so I have a tendency to fall off the diet after a couple of months. However, the diet does work very well. I don’t crave carbs, don’t even miss them, and my energy levels and sleeping habits are much improved while eating this way. I have been diagnosed pre-diabetic in the past, and am still obese. I was a size 22W and am now a 16W and weigh about 225 (5′6″). I want to get down to about 150 lbs, so I’m getting back on it again tomorrow. I am still about 60 lbs lighter thanks to this — the ONLY diet that (1) works for me and (2) doesn’t leave me feeling hungry and deprived. Any other diet relies too much on carbs and I cannot start my day with any carbs (it only ends up making me want to eat more). This is a balanced diet that makes sense. And for those who are over age 40, read their newer book “Lifespan.”
i’ve had weight probs all my life, until a friend sent me r & r hellers’ carb addicts diet book within 9 mos, i went frm sz22 dwn to sz 6.. in ano 2 mos i was sz 1-2 & kept it off 9 yrs, til my stupid shrink presc’d meds that causd weight-gain & in less than 6 wks i was back to a sz 8, & now a sz 12. i’ve lookd for a copy of this book snc 2001. it’s the only diet that’s ever wkd for me.
based on what was given i thiink i may be able to work with that….i LOVE CARBS!!!!