The Lowdown on Low Carb Diets
Posted on October 3, 2009
Filed Under General | 1 Comment
Low carb diets have been all the rage since the early 1990s and with growing reports of an obesity epidemic more and more people are actively searching for effective ways of losing weight and getting healthier in the process. But, what exactly is involved with following a low carb diet, is it possible to do so for the long term, and what, if any, are the possible long term health ramifications of restricting carbohydrate intake?
What is a Low Carb Diet?
The simplest explanation of a law carbohydrate diet is an eating plan that restricts foods high in carbohydrates such as breads, grains, rice, most fruits and vegetables and focuses instead on sources of fat and protein.
There are a variety of low carbohydrate diets to choose from, each of which having differing amounts of acceptable carbs as well as varying types of carbohydrates. Some low carb diets are more restrictive than others, and therefore, offer fewer food choices as a result. However, some people choose to make the low carb diet an integral part of their lifestyle and continue to restrict their carbohydrate intake even after weight loss.
Why Low Carb Diets Work
The exact reason behind the great success of low carb diets has been proven scientifically and explains why this particular type of plan has given many people a relatively simple and also natural way to lose weight.
All three types of carbohydrates, sugars, starches and fibers, raise the body’s level of blood sugar which then spawns the production of insulin. Insulin then causes the blood sugars to enter all of the cells thereby preventing the fat from being burned and broken down, and also preventing any weight from being lost. Carbohydrates are then kept and turned into excess fat cells.
With the low carbohydrate diet option, decreasing carbohydrate intake keeps both blood sugar levels and insulin levels at a minimum while causing a loss of weight. Without the available carbs to use for energy, the body resorts to using its stored fat instead. And although scientists aren’t yet sure why, a low carb diet also causes a decrease in appetite, helping to bring about even more weight loss.
Yet another reason why low carbohydrate diets seem to work so well for many people is that caloric intake is significantly reduced by omitting foods that tend to be high in fat and calories like sweets, cereals, breads, pasta, and rice.
Typical Low Carb Diet Menu
With a low carbohydrate diet, breakfast can be one of the heartiest meals of the day, which is actually ideal for prompting weight loss, and include choices such as bacon, sausage, and eggs prepared in a wide variety of ways along with extras like butter, margarine, or heavy creams. There are different brands of low carb milk or soy milk to be had as well as coffee and tea, although you will have to pass on the orange juice.
Lunch and dinner may consist of seafood, meats, eggs, cheeses, vegetables, nuts, and salad with iced tea, diet soft drinks, or sparking, flavored waters with no calories or sugars added.
For snacks, low carbohydrate diets usually recommend choices like celery and cream cheese, turkey roll-ups, sugar-free gelatin, or varieties of mixed nuts.
For a great alternative to low carb diets, that works just as well, we recommend you try the plan available at http://www.nutrisystem.com. For a detailed review as well as lots of dieting tips, visit Fast-Easy-Diet.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucy_Moreno
Author: Lucy Moreno
Want to get a quick start to lose your fat? Click Here to get started
Mail this post
Comments
One Response to “The Lowdown on Low Carb Diets”
Leave a Reply
Cellulite Reduction
Live Life Healthy
I have tried Atkins Diet, South Beach Diet and other forms of Low Carb diet. They are all good for the general health and for maintaining a healthy weight.