Low Carb Diets that Work

The low carb diets for weight loss are quite popular with bodybuilders and people who want to lose weight. While these diets have seemed to work on some, others have not succeeded in losing weight by this low carbohydrate regimen. On following a this diet some have found the easiest method by which their bodies are able to lose weight, by manipulating the calorie input to calorie output equation. But, what are these low carb diet plans? Let's find out more about these low carb diets that work in reducing one's body weight.

Low Carb Diets: Do They Work?

When we consume a high carbohydrate diet, blood glucose level in our body rises, which gets balanced out with insulin. Insulin is a storage hormone that conditions the body to store up the unused carbs in the form of fat in adipose tissues. A low carb diet focuses on reducing the amount of carb intake by the body, which is why the diet comprises very low carbohydrate contents.

These diets are based on the promise that low carb diets conduce to weight loss, because low carbohydrate levels will lead to reduction in production of insulin in the body, thereby causing the body to use up the fat and protein stored for generating energy. This in turn reduces the amount of fats stored in the form of flabs and resulting in weight loss. Thus, fat is used to fuel the body instead of carbs.

Low carb diets that work fast lack carbohydrate foods like bread, rice, pasta and alcohol. On the other hand one is encouraged to eat higher amounts of protein and fat, thus, one can eat large amounts of cheese, butter and meat. Fatty foods are permitted because the body does not store this fat but uses it as the main source of energy fuel, because of the insulin factor. A low carb diet should contain only 10 - 60 grams of carbohydrates a day. Exercising while on a diet helps speed up the weight loss process.

Low Carb Diet Plan

There are different kinds of low carb diet plans that work, available nowadays. Some of the popular ones are Atkins diet, Zone diet, Neanderthin diet, Protein powder, etc. The Atkins diet begun by Dr. Robert Atkins emphasizes on eliminating trans fats as well as refined carbohydrates. Zone diet on the other hand focuses on consuming a diet comprising carb, fat and protein ratio of 40:30:30. Neanderthin diet, designed by Ray Audette, focuses on eliminating processed foods from the diet, while protein powder diet focuses on consuming a high protein and low carb diet. These popular diets are hailed as low carb diet plans that work and promise to give results in a short span of time.

Low Carb Foods

A typical low carb diet comprises high protein foods like fish, poultry, eggs as well as non-starchy vegetables. Low carb fruits, nuts and seeds can be consumed as well in this diet. High protein low carb foods or some zero carb foods that contain negligible amounts of carbs in them, such as water, eggs, cheese (Camembert, Munster, Parmesan and Cheddar), poultry, beef, beans, etc. can be consumed. The list of low carbs foods is extensive and excludes all kinds of pastas, bread, starchy items. Moreover, there are several low carb snack recipes, low carb desserts, etc. that will keep one's taste buds satiated.

A low carb diet is better than fasting as it does not deprive the body of nutrition, as in case of fasting. However, the risks of this kind of diet is that in the pursuit of cutting carbs from the diet, one may take in foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which conduce to risk of heart diseases. Moreover, limiting consumption of starchy fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods can result in fiber deprivation, which in turn results in constipation and gastrointestinal issues. Thus, one should take fiber and vitamin supplements additionally while on this diet. Therefore, before believing the merits of these low carb diets, take the advice of your health practitioner.