Low Carb Monster - Low Carbohydrate Diet Plans

Low Carbohydrate Diet Plans

When you want to lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time, a low carb diet plan might sound appealing. After all, lots of people have great success with low carbohydrate diet plans. You always hear the success stories because that's what you want to hear. But on this page, we'll look at the other side.

Are Low Carb Diets Really the Answer?

It all depends on how you define what low carbohydrate diet plans are. In most cases, they limit you to 20 grams of carbs a day for two weeks, then you get anywhere from 40-60 a day (depending on what plan you're on) until you've lost the weight you want to lose. For maintenance, you get 130 grams a day. That's actually the only part of most low carbohydrate diet plans that makes sense because 130 grams of carbs is what your body really needs. Most people who are overweight eat far more than 130 grams of carbs a day as it is. Is that the sole reason people gain weight? Maybe, maybe not. that really depends on the person more than anything. But chances are, if you cut back to 130 grams of carbs a day, you'll see some weight loss.

The bad thing about cutting back to 20 grams a day (or even 40 or 60) is the side effects. First of all, most low carbohydrate diet plans limit your intake of fruits and vegetables. This can cause constipation, and it can make you lose out on a lot of key nutrients that reduce the risk of cancer. In addition, this low amount of carbs doesn't leave much room for milk, so you are putting yourself at risk for osteoporosis (especially if you're a woman). In addition, you'll likely find that you're less energetic, your brain is in a fog and you're moody.

When your body starts burning fat, you're in a state called ketosis. Ketosis produces bad breath, can cause headaches and can cause nausea. Eventually, your body will start burning protein when there's not enough fat and carbs to burn. When this happens, uric acid is released into your bloodstream and it can cause you to have kidney damage if it's done for too long.

Finally, a lot of people who lose weight on a low carb diet plan gain it back (and sometimes more) when they tire of being on it and go back to eating bad carbs (anything made with white flour or refined sugar).

Of course, all of the risks mentioned on this page can be countered to some extent by taking supplements of fiber and calcium. A good multi-vitamin helps too. Whichever of the low carbohydrate diet plans you choose, make sure you follow the instructions to the letter. Don't neglect your health to lose weight.