Benefits of a low-carbohydrate diet
The usual advice for losing weight is to restrict calories, avoid meat and fat, and to increase complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables. This sounds good, but for many people it doesn’t work in practice. After many weeks of struggling without results, most give up.
The better way to lose weight is to follow a low-carbohydrate diet.
Why traditional diets don’t work
Main reasons low-calorie, low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet fail:
- It involves deprivation and hunger.
- Without fat, food is usually not as tasty.
- As calorie intake decreases, the body switches into starvation-conservation mode. The metabolism slows and the dieter starts to feel tired and depressed, often resorting to food as a comforter.
- Carbohydrates such as bread and pasta are converted into sugar in the body. Sugar stimulates the body’s insulin secretion. Insulin is an appetite stimulant -the very thing you do not need when you are on a diet.
- Carbohydrates usually don’t last long in the body. Within a few hours, feelings of hunger, shakiness and cravings return.
The low-carb diet
Many current best-selling diet books advocate high-protein, highfat and low carbohydrate diet. The principles:
- Avoid all carbohydrates including bread, pasta, fruits and sweets.
- Eat plenty of protein – steak, chicken and fish.
- Eat plenty of nuts, butter and oils.
- Eat moderate amount of green vegetables.
Despite the higher fat content, body weight usually drops, and blood cholesterol levels hold steady.
A search on the Internet under “Low Carbohydrate Diet” produces many enthusiastic testimonials.
