You learned in Nutrition 101 that energy balance occurs when you take in as many calories as you expend. However, recent studies have shown that dietary composition can influence weight loss. For example, during the early phases of dieting, people lose more weight on low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets than they do on mixed or high-carbohydrate diets. The energy balance equation is still applicable; however, dietary composition seems to affect appetite and metabolic rate, which might explain differences in weight loss.
Israeli scientists, in a study on 78 obese police officers, found that consuming most carbohydrates at dinner resulted in greater weight loss, abdominal fat circumference and body fat mass than consuming carbohydrates throughout the day. The diet plan reduced hunger, fasting blood sugar, and average daily insulin levels. It also had more favorable effects on blood fats and markers of inflammation. (Obesity, published online)
