Low-Carb Diet

Weight loss can be achieved by following a strict diet and regular exercise. If you are concerned about your excessive weight and want to attain a good body figure again, a low-carb diet can be of great help to you. Let us see what a low-carb diet is.

The three principal macro nutrients of all foods are: proteins, carbohydrates (or sugars), and fats. By low carb we mean that the percentage of carbohydrate (in terms of calorie) is low. A low carb diet limits carbohydrate consumption by reducing the intake of carbohydrates to 20-60 grams per day and increasing protein and fat consumption to balance for the share of the calories that was previously contributed by carbohydrates.

There are many types of low-carb diets such as Zone diet, Atkins diet, Ketogenic diet, South beach diet, etc. People usually use a low-carb diet with an intention to loss weight fast and without difficulty. But weight loss will possibly not continue for long. You may get back the lost weight soon if you begin your earlier eating habits and discard the low-carb diet.

If you prefer to eat monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats while on a low-carb diet, it may also help you to lower down your cholesterol level. On the contrary, if you choose foods high in saturated fats, which precisely fit the criteria of this diet, you may increase the levels of your cholesterol. Time and again, low-carbohydrate diets have also been used to treat the conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.

A low-carb diet commonly focuses on eggs, poultry, fish, meat and various non-starchy vegetables. It excludes or restricts the intake of carbohydrates like beans, breads, rice, most grains, sweets, pastas, and starchy fruits and vegetables.

A low-carb diet normally has a diuretic effect on you. It usually results in fewer calories because it severely restricts the variety of foods you consume. A low-carb diet is moderately high in protein and fat. And since these nutrients take much longer time for digestion as compared to the carbohydrates, you may have an increased feeling of fullness.

A low-carb diet can be high in cholesterol and saturated fat and hence can increase the risk of heart disease. It can also cause nausea, weakness, constipation, irritability, dizziness and dehydration. Hence, it is important to consume a healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.