Diet Pills

Hamptons Diet

Named after the chic summer haunt of well-heeled New Yorkers, the Hamptons Diet dishes up advice that turns out to be a low-carb regimen with a few new twists—including the addition of macadamia nut oil. Author Fred Pescatore, MD, former medical director of the Atkins Diet Center, calls this substance a “secret ingredient” for weight loss. Apparently, he bases that belief on a recent study that found moderate-fat diets high in monounsaturated fat are more effective and easier to follow than many other plans. Macadamia nut oil, the author asserts, is special because it contains more of these weight-loss-helping monos than any other oil.

When it comes to fat, this low-carb diet takes some confusing twists and turns. Lauding monounsaturated-rich choices like avocados, olive oil, and the much-mentioned macadamia nut oil, Pescatore promotes a Mediterranean-style approach to fat. Yet the recipes don’t banish high-saturated-fat items like bacon and butter, and some are even laden with heavy cream.

Basic principles:

Focus on the right food choices, not portion sizes. Eat more fish, particularly salmon and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Enjoy lean meats. Nibble on nuts. And dine on “Mediterranean fats,” which are rich in artery-friendly monounsaturated fats. Fruits, vegetables, and grains are limited since they’re high in carbs. Special supplements are recommended to boost levels of nutrients such as chromium, carnitine, and essential fatty acids.
How the diet works:

You can eat unlimited amounts of lean meat and healthful fat, but carb levels are restricted based on how much weight you have to lose. Dieters who need to shed more than 10 pounds are told to confine carbs to less than 30 grams a day; people who have less than 10 pounds to lose are allowed 40 to 60 grams. Menu plans outline what you can eat at each carb level, and substitutions are allowed as long as they’re foods from a similar group.
What you can eat:

Down-Home Brisket With Texas Pecan Cilantro Pesto, Sesame Broccoli, Long Beach Shrimp Salad: The book contains nearly 200 recipes intended to promote a low-carb approach to fine dining, with an emphasis on lean proteins such as fish, meat, and chicken. Any amount of fat is fine as long as most of it is monounsaturated. Macadamia nut oil tops the list, since it’s far richer in monos (85%) than other nut oils and olive oil. Pescatore encourages dieters to seek out MacNut brand oil, because other kinds that are refined may not have the same bioactive components, he asserts.