I think the daily changes in how "in shape" you are reflect how much water you have in your body from eating carbohydrate. Nobody loses a noticeable amount of fat in one day.
You lost weight by decreasing the amount of energy you were eating. Low-carb diets are an effective way to do this, because they are generally restrictive (less variety means less overeating) and because protein is very satiating. But there are other ways, and yes, some of them involve eating a lot of carbohydrates. The best thing is to choose something you can stick with. In that sense, your advice is not good, since 50-60% protein would make a lot of people want to barf.
I would go so far as to say there is no such thing as a diet that is "healthy" absent particular health goals. If you are overweight, one way to become healthier is to lose weight. In that sense, a low-energy diet is effective, independent of what foods it contains.
>since 50-60% protein would make a lot of people want to barf.
I don't think that's true. I'm currently on a diet that's fairly high in protein (and to go with the theme of the article, comes out to $4-$6 a day I believe). I don't think it's barf-worthy.
Example:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with a little salsa on top, bacon, mixed veggies
Lunch: Usually salad of romaine, spinach, mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese, grilled chicken, and homemade dressing. Sometimes I'll have chili instead of a salad.
Dinner: Usually a pork chop or chicken breast, some spiced lentils, and mixed veggies
I think that's a pretty well balanced high protein diet. I'd estimate it as 60% protein/20% fat/20% carbs. The veggies add relatively few carbs. The only thing it's really "missing" is starchy carbs. Sure, if your high protein plan was 2 pounds of beef a day, I'd go and say it's barf-worthy, but I'd argue most low-carb diets aren't.
A lot of people, not necessarily you :) My main point is that people have different psychological reactions which we shouldn't ignore.
Also, I think your diet is much higher in fat and lower in protein than you are estimating. For example, the protein sources in your breakfast are only around 30% protein, with 70% fat. Dressing and cheese in your salad are also very high in fat. My source for these numbers is nutritiondata.com. Every food has a percentage macronutrient breakdown, as well as vitamins, fats, and amino acids.
As tasty as your diet seems(and I bet it is), being Asian, I will barf within a couple of days if I did not have some rice or starch in the diet. And it has nothing to do with the food, it is just the way I have grown up. To me, a moderate protein diet is more palatable and hence more sustainable in the long run.
Yoy body will adapt if you give it the chance. Your mind, that's different.
Right now I will barf within a couple of days if I don't eat some fatty pork. I never eat rice and potatoes after 30+ years of eating them daily, and I don't miss them at all.
You lost weight by decreasing the amount of energy you were eating. Low-carb diets are an effective way to do this, because they are generally restrictive (less variety means less overeating) and because protein is very satiating. But there are other ways, and yes, some of them involve eating a lot of carbohydrates. The best thing is to choose something you can stick with. In that sense, your advice is not good, since 50-60% protein would make a lot of people want to barf.
I would go so far as to say there is no such thing as a diet that is "healthy" absent particular health goals. If you are overweight, one way to become healthier is to lose weight. In that sense, a low-energy diet is effective, independent of what foods it contains.