Low-Carb Diets

If you’re curious about low carbohydrate diets, here are some facts about low carbohydrate diets that may help you in your dieting choices.

Low-carbohydrate diets are food diet programs for weight loss and dietary health that promote restricted carbohydrate consumption, based on research that ties carbohydrate consumption with increased blood insulin levels, and increased insulin with obesity.

Under these many dietary programs, foods containing carbohydrates (like sugar, grains, and starches) are substantially limited or replaced in favour of foods containing more protein and fat. Vegetables, though classified as carbohydrates, are thought to be far healthier than grain-based carbohydrates for example. Programs such as South Beach, Atkins and Zone diets, are claimed to work well because they reduce insulin levels, which in turn causes the body to burn its fat for energy.

These kinds of diets have been in and out of fashion since the Banting diet appeared in the 19th century. But long before modern scientific invention, anecdotal and holistic prescriptions, containing passages about limiting certain foods, including foods of which mostly carbohydrates have appeared throughout history. Although strong evidence suggests that low carb diets can help achieve weight loss, some of the diets have caused controversy among nutritionists, and their relative safety has been challenged.

Differences Between Various Low-Carbohydrate Diets

Low-carb diets are largely notable by the proportions of carb intake they recommend, and the methods used to determine which source of carbohydrates should be consumed and which should be avoided. Whilst all agree that processed sugar should be eliminated, or at the very least greatly reduced, they often differ on the recommended levels of grains, fruits and vegetables that should be consumed, though there is broad agreement that, in general, vegetables are better than fruits, and fruits are better than grains.

The recent rise in western obesity rates has coincided with a widespread belief in low-fat, high-carbohydrate as a healthier way of eating. In contrast, traditional high-fat French cooking for example has led to a much lower incidence of obesity, morbid obesity and chronic heart disease than the high-sugar American diet, despite overall energy intake and exercise levels being the same.

Side Effects Of Low-Carb Diets

Critics maintain that low carbohydrate diets aren’t without harmful side effects. Very low carbohydrate consumption can lead to a metabolic state called ketosis, which may cause headaches, tiredness, nausea, dehydration, dizziness, and an unusual sweet-smelling breath odor. The lowered intake of dietary fiber that often accompanies dramatically reduced carbohydrate intake may result in constipation if not supplemented. The Induction stage of the Atkins diet for example has been criticized for these reasons (note that today the Atkins diet is clearer about recommending a fiber supplement during the Induction phase).

These are just a few samples in both positions regarding low carb diets. Make sure to continue your research in order to make a better, more informed decision.

About the Author:
John Rifkind is a contributing weight loss editor at http://www.fitnesshealtharticles.com. This article may be reproduced provided that its complete content, links and author byline are kept intact and unchanged. No additional links permitted. Hyperlinks and/or URLs must remain both human clickable and search engine spiderable.