Reality Of Best Low Carb Diets
The usual modus operandi of a low carb diet is to restrain the intake of food products high in carbohydrates while increasing protein consumption. Fat is not restricted either. Atkins Diet is one of the most celebrated low carb diets in the market. Others include Protein Power and the Zone Diet.
The methodology used in a low carb diet is very simple. Carbohydrates are directly responsible for increasing the body’s blood sugar level. This in turn causes increased secretion of insulin. The insulin provides blood sugar to the cells to function. In the absence of this blood sugar the body would normally have used the reserve fats.
Lobbyists of the low carb diet believe that stopping the intake of carbs will reduce the level of blood sugar in the body. This in turn will force the body to use the stored fats to get the required calories.
But according to tests this is not really the reason of weight loss induced by a low carb diet. A low carb diet follows a four pronged approach to weight reduction. In the first phase of the diet there is an increased usage of the body’s glycogen reserves. This glycogen is responsible for water retention in the body. So as the glycogen is used up, water is released in the form of urine and this results in weight loss.
Low carb diets eventually reduce appetite, and a person stops binging. Since protein rich foods are very filling, you never really go hungry.
Since your diet is restricted to protein rich foods and limited quantities of fat with absolutely no intake of carbs and sugar the over all calorie consumption is reduced.
Low carbs diets don’t expect you to starve. But your success entirely depends on how diligently you follow them now and in the future. Food products high in carbohydrates are strictly restricted. Some of these products are fruits such as figs, apricots and bananas, food products made from white flour such as white bread and pastas, sugar rich products, vegetables such as potatoes and yam, beans and grains. Some diets do allow limited intake of certain types of fruits and whole grains.
The main types of foods allowed are those with high protein contents such as meat, chicken, egg, limited amount of dairy products and some vegetables.
Limited research has been conducted on the advantages and the disadvantages of low carb diets on the body. Many of these diets do manage to reduce the cholesterol level however, that entirely depends on the quantity of saturated fat consumed.
Even though low carb diets have a healthy and delicious menu it has been observed that after a while the monotony leads people back to their old ways.
Finally conclusive research has yet been conducted on links between low carb diets and the onset of heart, bone and kidney ailments.