Among all the fad diets available in the market, the High Protein Diet which promotes having very little carbohydrates and high meat intake received the most attention in recent years. This high protein low carbohydrate diet instructs people to cut down almost all carbohydrates such as bread, rice, noodles, pasta, dried beans, starchy vegetables such as potato, pumpkin, and corn. Fruits and milk products that contain fructose and lactose respectively should also be avoided. It allows people to have unlimited meat and fat intake despite their high fat content. Unlimited butter, sausages, steaks and even chicken with skin are permitted. Lastly, people are encouraged to have much leafy vegetables.

High Protein Diet claims that this diet would help people to burn fat much faster than following a low fat well-balanced diet. However, recent studies have shown that both diets have the same weight loss outcome if followed for 2 years. And eliminating carbohydrates from a diet has the following bad influences to the body:

1. Vitamin B deficiency, which hinder energy metabolism.
   
2. Reduced intake of fruit and starchy vegetables can cause fiber and vitamin A, C, E deficiency which can result in constipation, night blindness, weakened immunity, and cancers respectively.
   
3. Reduced intake of milk products can lead to osteoporosis in later life due to inadequate intake of calcium.
   
4. With a low carbohydrate intake, intake of fat, protein and salt will increase. And a high fat, high protein and high salt diet can increase the risk of high blood cholesterol, kidney diseases and high blood pressure.
   

Therefore, people who want to lose weight should follow a well-balanced diet according to the healthy food pyramid. Cereal group such as whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, and high fiber breakfast cereals should constitute the major part of a daily diet. Such foods provide adequate energy, vitamin B, along with dietary fiber which can induce early satiety preventing you from overeat. In addition, 2 serves of fruit and 3 serves of vegetable are strongly recommended as they are full of beneficial vitamins plus low in fat and calories. Meat, preferably lean meat such as fish, chicken breast, lean pork and beef, and tofu should not exceed approximately 6 ounces a day. 1 ¡V 2 serves of low fat milk products should also be consumed to ensure adequate calcium intake. Most importantly, one should avoid energy-dense foods such as deep-fried foods, potato chips, cakes, desserts, ice-cream, and soft drinks, etc.

In order to have a successful weight reduction, energy intake must be less than energy output. Eating a lower calorie well-balanced diet and exercise regularly is always the key formula to achieve an energy deficit. Consuming carbohydrates actually does not lead to weight gain, but instead, excessive intake of fats and sugar do.