Low Carb Diet

The definition of a low carb diet is one that limits the amount of carbohydrates that you consume so that your body burns fat for energy instead of the carbs that it normally relies on. One of the more popular low carb diets is the Atkins Diet which, although controversial, has produced significant results.

Many doctors do not consider this a healthy way to lose weight because of the large amounts of fatty foods that they think of as unhealthy. Proponents of the diet, however, claim that studies show that insulin, glucose and cholesterol levels improve with the diet. Here are some of the positive results of this diet:

Rapid weight loss-During the first two weeks on the low carb diet, you will lose about one pound per day.

Easy weight loss management-While you are losing weight, you determine the amount of carbs that you can eat daily without gaining weight. This makes it easier for you to maintain your weight and keep it down for the rest of your life.

Health benefits-For those who are at high risk for diabetes, a low carb diet can help you prevent the disease. With healthier food choices you can also lower your bad cholesterol levels and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. This is one of the most important benefits of a low carb diet.

Not feeling hungry-When you lower your amount of carb intake, you balance your level of glucose and insulin which help to lower your food cravings. In addition, foods that have a higher protein content are much more filling. This means that there are no limitations on how much of these foods that you can eat.

There are three different kinds of carbs and not all of these are good for you if you are on a low carb diet. Simple carbohydrates are on the bad carb list and they include white breads, white pasta and sweets. They raise insulin levels at a faster rate which can throw your entire system out of balance. It is recommended that you cut these completely out of your diet.

Complex carbohydrates are on the good carb list. These are found in whole grains and vegetables. All of your carb content should come from these foods. They are not only digested slower but contain vital nutrient content.

Fiber is also a good carbohydrate. The grams of fiber are subtracted from the total number of carbs and do not count as part of your daily carb intake. Fiber works differently from other carbs and is an important nutrient for digestion. Raw veggies are high in fiber content as well as complex carbohydrates. This is a perfect choice for your low carb diet.

You need to know that not all fats are bad for you. When cooking, you should use olive oil and eat nuts or seeds as snacks or food garnishes to get healthy fats which your body needs. While the medical community still believes that a low carb diet is unhealthy for you and can have long term negative effects on your body, numerous studies show otherwise. Making the healthiest choices for your fats and proteins will help you to achieve your weight loss goal without the additional risk of too many unhealthy fats. Enjoy your low carb diet and good luck with your weight loss.