Low carb diet: what it is, pros and cons

the sugar content of foods for a low carb diet

To whom is the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates in the products mentioned? Of course, for those who follow any kind of diet. Thus, people who follow the choice of low carbohydrates, first of all, pay attention to the fact that the carbohydrate content of the product does not exceed a certain amount.

Who needs a low carb diet and why?

Such a diet is the reduction or complete rejection of foods high in carbohydrates. Initially, the diet was developed for athletes. Now such foods are used more often by 3 categories of people:

  1. Those who want to lose weight.
  2. Diabetics.
  3. The athletes themselves.

Carbohydrates in food are sugar. It does not matter that some foods high in carbohydrates are not sweet at all. When processed in the body, carbohydrates become sugar. This is why diabetics, people with high blood sugar, follow a carb-free diet.

Scientists have also shown that it is the excess sugar in food that is deposited in the human body in the form of fat. Therefore, those who want to lose weight also use a low carb diet. Athletes just need to be kept in good shape. Other names for low carbohydrate are ketone or protein diets.

low carb diets

When following a low carb diet, people reduce their intake or eliminate it from their diet:

  1. Bakery products.
  2. Sugar and any sweets.
  3. Some vegetables: potatoes, pumpkin.
  4. Sweet fruits: bananas, apricots and berries: cherries, grapes.
  5. Store juices.
  6. Some cereals: rice.
  7. Pasta.

And this is not a complete list. But does everyone need a similar diet? After all, each of them has its pros and cons.

Nutritional benefits

Nutritionists and general therapists advise a diet low in carbohydrates not only for people who are losing weight and are sick. You can also limit your carbohydrate intake to normal landings. But in general, such a diet has many advantages:

  • Body support. Everyone, not just a sick person, should keep healthy because an excess of carbohydrates acts like a slow bomb. Constant overeating of foods high in carbohydrates gradually destroys the body.
  • With a diet low in carbohydrates, the body's sensitivity to insulin increases, therefore, the pancreas produces less insulin. This allows you to protect yourself from an incurable disease - diabetes. Therefore, a great advantage of diet is the prevention of a serious illness.
  • For those who are losing weight, the plus is that you can eat a lot of carbohydrate-free foods and lose weight. Some people find it difficult to limit their food intake, so eating no carbs is a great choice. Meat, for example, does not contain any carbohydrates.
  • You can lose weight in a short time.
  • Low carb foods do not need to go to a specialty store or buy anything special. All food is sold in ordinary supermarkets near the house in any town or village: I got it and bought it.
  • The price of the issue. You do not need a lot of money for dieting. You buy ordinary healthy products to which you are already accustomed: meat, fish, vegetables, dairy. On the contrary, if you give up some sweets, there will even be savings.
  • Even low-carb menus are easy to find on the Internet. There is a lot of information with tables, recipes and other useful tips. You do not need to think for yourself what and how it is. And even more so visit nutritionists to write a diet. Just download and print your daily share.
  • You can follow such a diet for a long time. Over time, the craving for sweets will disappear and after a few years, the usual doses of sugar will look sugary.
  • Such a diet is considered the lightest and "softer", unlike some others. If everything is done correctly, then there will be no stress on the body and the disadvantages will be avoided.
weight loss on a low carb diet

Disadvantages

It is not for nothing that students are advised to eat a bar of chocolate before the exam. Sugar is energy and sweets are a quick way to get it. Therefore, a diet low in carbohydrates is not good for everyone. Some people need to consider the negatives of their diet and avoid low carb diets.

  • Workers in intense mental or physical labor should not be seduced by such a diet. Both need the same energy that a person does not receive without carbohydrates.
  • Diabetics, although they should limit their carbohydrate intake, should be aware that their complete absence can lead to low blood sugar - hypoglycemia, which is very dangerous.
  • It is worth avoiding such a diet and those who suffer from frequent edema. It is recommended that you drink plenty of water on a low carb diet and this will lead to even more bloating.
  • You can not follow such a diet for children and adolescents (except those who are obese). The body during the growth period needs a normal, albeit low, amount of carbohydrates for growth.
  • Pregnant women, as well as breastfeeding mothers, do not diet. You may want to lose weight after giving birth, but the health and development of the baby is more important.
  • On a low carb diet, a person eats more protein and fat. It is harmful to heart patients and those with kidney problems. In terms of diet, kidney stones have been reported.
  • Sometimes the shape is accompanied by headache and constipation. If these side effects occur, you should stop eating carbohydrate-free foods.
  • With a low carb diet, when there is a restriction on sugary foods, the craving for them becomes very strong. Not everyone is able to cope with this craving, so they fail and all the benefits of the diet are diminished.
  • Due to drowsiness at the beginning of the diet, it should be used with caution by drivers and people who are responsible for important items.

Result

Any diet, including a low carb diet, is stressful for the body, so you should not abruptly give up sugary foods. The transition to a carb-free diet should be smooth, observing your reaction. Only in this case there will be some advantages from the diet and it will be possible to avoid all the mentioned disadvantages. It is worth trying to see if a low carb program is right for you.