Low Carb Monster - Carbohydrate

Carbohydrate

Why are low or no carbohydratediets so popular? Probably because most of us want instant gratification. Especially when it comes to weight loss. We hear what we want to hear, see what we want to see and don't consider the long term. On this page we'll explore the upside of a low carbohydrate diet and the downside.

Benefits of a Low Carbohydrate Diet

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of a low carbohydrate diet is that people seem to lose a lot of weight in a relatively short amount of time. What other diet allows you to eat all the steak, bacon, sausage, eggs and cheese you need to feel satisfied (but not stuffed)? On a low carb diet, you don't have to count calories or worry about your fat intake (other than knowing that full fat items have fewer carbs than low or no fat versions). It also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, which is of particular importance to diabetics, it lowers insulin levels, it lowers blood pressure. There are debates about other so-called benefits. For example, you're likely to hear that it gives you more energy, but opponents say that if you're ingesting a lot of fat, that can make you lethargic.

Drawbacks of a Low Carbohydrate Diet

A low carbohydrate also has a lot of drawbacks. For instance, because it limits your intake of most fruits and some vegetables, you have to take vitamin supplements. In addition, constipation is a side effect due to the lack of fiber. Other side effects:

A low carbohydrate diet can lead to ketosis, which is the state your body is in when it's burning fat. Side effects of ketosis include bad breath, weakness, nausea and dehydration.
The excess protein you are eating can cause a loss of calcium, which could affect your bone health over time.
A high protein diet also causes your kidneys to work harder because they have to excrete excess protein.

Once you've lost the weight you want to lose on a low carb diet and your body's chemistry is regulated once again, you can start adding carbs back in to your diet, but they have to be complex carbohydrates. These are foods like vegetables, berries, and limited amounts of whole grain or whole wheat products like whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, brown or long grain rice and oats. You'll still have to avoid simple carbs, which are foods that have refined sugars or fructose. These are foods like cake, pies, brownies, cookies, etc. Also, foods like white bread, regular pasta and white rice should be avoided.