Thread: Magazine diets...do they work?!?

Hey everybody. Thanks for your advise I have gained an extra inch on my arms! I'm very happy! Any way, I plan on going on holiay again to Spain in 6 weeks. I've been looking around for good diets for cutting fast. However, I have heard diets like the keto diet might quickly make you lose fat, but you can quickly pile it back on. Also, in Flex magazine it advises to eat about 200g carbs on a cut, but I thought in order to lose fat quickly you had to limit carb intake after 5.00pm? I need some advise please! Also, this is a diet from Men's Health in U.K. What do you think of it? 45% of calories are from slow and fast burning carbs. It claims to lose about 1kg of fat each week.

Meal 1:
Wholegrain cereal or oatmeal(1 1/4 cups)
Fat-free milk (2 cups)
Almonds or other nuts (4 table spoons)
Raisins (2 tablespoons)
Total: 591 calories, 29g protein, 78g carbs, 18g fat

Meal 2
Wholegrain bread(2 slices)
Canned tuna (150g)
Reduced fat cheese (1 slice)
Lettuce and tomato (2 leaves and 2 slices)
Mayonnaise (1 tablepoon)
Carrot (1)
Orange juice (i cup)
Total: 666 calories, 41g fat, 71g carbs, 25g fat

Meal 3
Wholegrain bread (2 slices)
Peanut butter(2 tablespoons)
Fat-free milk (2 cups)
Apple (1 medium)
Total: 629 calories, 31g protein, 83g carbs, 20g fat

Meal 4
Meat (pork, chicken breast, lean beef or seafood) (150g)
Salad (1 cup)
Dressing (2 tablespoons)
Broccoli (1 cup)
Starch (bread, potato, pasta, rice) (1 slice or 1 cup)
Fruit (3/4 cup)
Total:379-953 calories, 23-53g protein, 33-109g carbs, 12-43g fat

This is exactly want is written in the book. However, in this months issue, it says to stop eating carbs that are high on the glycaemic index, and to replace them with beans, wholegrain bread, fruit and bran flakes. This has really confused me! Any help would be great! If you could think of a better diet for me then please don't hesistate to tell me! My stats are 202 pounds, 5'8 but not fat, just have to get rid of pesky fat around the bottom of abs and hips. Lastly, I am trying to tone up, but maybe gain a bit on my arms. Is this possible? If so, how? Thanks very much! I hope you can help me!
Thanks again!

Originally posted by TheIcon2
All diets taken from magazines can work. The bottom line is to lose weight you need to take in less calories. Just how well the diets work is another thing. You have to take into consideration what your goals are. If your goals are a serious bodybuilding cut then as y2gt said you should check out the link he posted.

Great advice Icon!

There is by far not enough protein in that diet for a serious bodybuilder and there is wayyy to much sugar.

Seriously check out those links that y2gt provided. While cutting your carb sources should come from Slow burning carbs and your fats from EFA's and lean proteins.