| Does maintaining a diet with no carbohydrates really | | | | and vegetables you will tend to eat less overall. But |
| help decrease weight? Since the early 1970s, several | | | | you are likely to get bored with this diet and |
| weight loss plans have supported avoiding or reducing | | | | therefore slip or get too hungry as your diet will lack |
| carbohydrates, referred to as "carbs", from our diets | | | | bulk. Furthermore, limiting carbohydrates causes the |
| in varying quantities. Although these carb-conscious | | | | body to rely on fat or muscle for energy. This can |
| diets are embraced by some, they continue to raise | | | | create a by-product called ketones, causing fatigue |
| questions for many. For example, it has been | | | | and nausea. This is particularly dangerous for anyone |
| debated whether it is safe to limit carbohydrate | | | | with diabetes, heart or kidney problems. |
| intake, and whether this can be done in a healthy, | | | | Yes, there is such thing as a healthy low-carb diet. |
| sustainable way. Some carbohydrates are better or | | | | The key is to not go overboard and throw out all |
| healthier than others. Another question raised is | | | | the essential nutrients we need for health and |
| whether or not everyone should limit carbohydrates, | | | | optimum energy in pursuit of a low-carb eating plan. |
| and whether someone can eat a diet of natural | | | | High-carb diets typically contain 50 to 60 percent of |
| foods while controlling carbohydrate consumption. | | | | total calories from carbohydrate. A healthy low-carb |
| Aside from the common theories on why low carb | | | | plan will contain 40 to 45 percent of calories from |
| diets work, no agreement exists on what makes up | | | | carbohydrate. That way you keep the carbs that |
| the optimal reduced carbohydrate diet. Suggestions | | | | provide nutrition: fruit, vegetables, whole grains, |
| of the various diet plans recommend a range from | | | | legumes, milk and yogurt and decrease your use of |
| 20 to 100 grams of carbohydrates daily, and few | | | | simple carbs like sugar, candy, cookies, soda and |
| recommend no carbs at all, although this diet has | | | | snack foods. |
| been seen in Hollywood. Many of these diets advise | | | | Fresh fish are high in protein and are often |
| restraining from the intake of carbs such as bread, | | | | carbohydrate free. Shellfish generally contain some |
| rice, pasta, potatoes, and added sugars, but they | | | | carbohydrates. Keep an eye out for prepared |
| differ in implementation and thorough directions. | | | | seafood products-like crab cakes or breaded fish-that |
| There are also no official guidelines on what foods | | | | may contain moderate amounts of carbohydrates. |
| should constitute a controlled carb diet, and the U.S. | | | | Protein-packed meat and poultry make up the bulk of |
| Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no formal | | | | many controlled carb diets. Try eating bacon, chicken, |
| classification of a low carbohydrate food. | | | | deli meats, duck, sausage, pork, lamb, rabbit, etc. |
| To put the resulting mystification into perspective, | | | | There's also no need to stay away from nature's |
| keep in mind that one-size-fits-all just doesn't work | | | | sweets. Keep in mind that high fibre content in |
| when it comes to dieting. Nutrition choices should be | | | | certain fruits accounts for a sizable percentage of |
| individualized and depend upon genetics, lifestyle, | | | | carbohydrates. Fibre is essential for the body and it is |
| activity levels, health status, and special needs. Some | | | | generally subtracted from total carbohydrates when |
| experimentation may be necessary to determine | | | | determining "net carbs" - the carbs thought to affect |
| what works best for you. Some may find cutting | | | | blood sugar and, therefore, weight loss. |
| back on carbohydrates is most favourable for their | | | | Even if you are adhering to a controlled carb diet, it is |
| health, weight, and blood sugar levels, and they | | | | important to eat plenty of produce. Colourful |
| decide to limit their carb intake as part of an overall | | | | vegetables provide fibre, vitamins, minerals, and |
| healthy lifestyle. | | | | numerous phytochemicals. The carbohydrate content |
| With regards to low-carbohydrate diets you may well | | | | of vegetables ranges greatly. Non-starchy, brightly |
| lose weight on this regimen because if you cut down | | | | coloured vegetables are a safe bet for those |
| on bread, pasta, rice, crisps and eat only meat, fish | | | | watching their carbs. |