Science of slimming

---

It's not your average fad diet. CSIRO scientists have spent years researching the Total Wellbeing eating plans which can help some people lose several kilos per week.

Scientists searching for a new weapon in the battle of the bulge have developed their own weight loss diet.

They've found the diet helps most people lose half a kilo per week. Some even lose 2-3kg per week.

The CSIRO says its diet took years of research and scientists agree it helps people lose weight and perhaps most importantly, keeps it off.

Lauren Smith has dropped a whole dress size since she started the CSIRO diet just after Christmas.

"The first week was a bit hard because it was a big change," she said. "A bit hungrier because there's no snacks in the diet at all."

Her partner Nick Bannon joined in and is also feeling lighter and brighter. He's lost 9kg in three weeks.

"Losing four and a half kilos in the first week really helped," Mr Bannon said.

The couple stuck to the plan, despite finding it a challenge.

"I missed out on chocolate," Ms Smith said. "Nick missed out on a can of beer."

CSIRO scientist Dr Peter Clifton helped produce the diet plan, which encourages meat eating.

"The study with the high protein diet at 12 months is the best result of any weight loss strategy we've ever used," Dr Clifton said.

"The main principle is that protein makes you feel more full than getting calories from carbohydrates or fat."

Dieters following the plan eat 34 per cent proteins, 46 per cent carbohydrates and 20 per cent fats.

"When you have a steak meal and you have the same number of calories, same amount of energy as say pasta or rice, you could generally eat something like 20 or 30 per cent more of the pasta or rice than of the protein or steak," Dr Clifton said.

Unlike the fashionable Atkins diet the CSIRO plan does include bread, crumpets, bacon and even cappuccinos.

A typical eating day might include:

Breakfast: three quarters of a cup of high fibre cereal with low fat milk and a banana

Lunch: a salmon and salad sandwich with a low-fat cappuccino.

Dinner: beef and vegetable kebabs with salad and even dessert - some fruit and custard.

"It is a balanced diet," Dr Clifton said. "It's not short of vitamins or minerals and it's got fruit and vegetables."

"So the dieticians have really got nothing to object about."

Exercise physiologist and author of the book 'Don't Diet' Ric Isaac is sceptical of the CSIRO diet and many others.

He says 'one size fits all' diets just don't work.

"We don't want to be doing these radical fad diets," Mr Isaac said. "And just because it worked for Jennifer Aniston doesn't mean it's going to work for us."

He claims the CSIRO diet has some major flaws. For a start, he says the researchers received funding from the Meat and Livestock Association.

"It's difficult to really look at it objectively when you're getting funding from a source such as that," Mr Isaac said.

"It does indicate that they're promoting their own foods."

The CSIRO admits it's only trialled the diet on 120 women and it's yet to be tested on men. But Mr Bannon says it works for him.

"It incorporated all the healthy foods that you're supposed to eat and cutting out pretty much all the fat and oils," he said.

He and Ms Smith haven't looked back. She says they have much more energy these days.

"I tend to get up earlier, I don't sleep in as much as I used to," Ms Smith said. "We're walking to the shops now, which we don't usually do."

Further information on the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet is available from the CSIRO website: www.csiro.auFollow the prompts to the Total Wellbeing Diet at www.csiro.au for a selection of meal plans or call 1300 363 400 or (03) 9545 2176.''Disclaimer
The information on todaytonight.com.au is made available for information purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Also, the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information is not guaranteed. AOL|7 does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional.''