Low-carb diet: what is it, pros and cons

Sugar content of foods for a low-carb diet

Who is the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrate specified in the products for? Of course, for those who follow any diet. Therefore, people who apply the low-carb option should first pay attention that the carbohydrate content in 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. Originally, the diet was developed for athletes. Now such food is most often used by 3 categories of people:

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

Carbs in food are sugars. It doesn't matter if some high-carb foods aren't sweet at all. When processed in the body, any carbohydrate becomes sugar. For this reason, diabetics, people with high blood sugar, adhere to a carbohydrate-free diet.

Also, scientists have proven that it is excess sugar in food that accumulates in the human body in the form of fat. For this reason, those who want to lose weight also follow a low-carb diet. Athletes just need to keep themselves in good shape. Other names for low-carb are ketone or protein regimens.

foods for low carb diet

When eating a low-carb diet, people reduce their intake or eliminate:

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

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

Diet Pros

Dietitians and general therapists do not recommend a low-carb diet solely for people who are losing weight and are sick. You can also limit your carb intake for normal emptying. But in general, such a diet has many advantages:

  • Support for the body. Everyone, not just a sick person, should maintain their health, because excess carbohydrates act like a slow bomb. Constant overconsumption of high-carbohydrate foods gradually destroys the body.
  • With a low-carb diet, the body's sensitivity to insulin increases, so the pancreas produces less insulin. This allows you to protect yourself from an incurable disease - diabetes. Therefore, a big plus of the diet is the prevention of a serious disease.
  • The plus for those who lose weight is that you can eat a lot of food without carbohydrates and still lose weight. Some people find it difficult to limit their food intake, so eating carb-free is a great option. For example, meat contains no carbohydrates.
  • You can lose weight in a short time.
  • Low-carb foods don't need to go to a specialty store or buy anything special. All food is sold in ordinary supermarkets near the house in any city or village: I bought and bought.
  • The price of the problem. Dieting does not require a lot of money. You buy the usual healthy products that you are already accustomed to: meat, fish, vegetables, dairy products. On the contrary, if you give up some sweets, there will even be savings.
  • Even low-carb menus are easy to find online. There is a lot of information on tables, recipes and other useful tips. You do not need to think about what and how for yourself. And moreover, visiting nutritionists to prepare a diet. Just download and print your daily ration.
  • You can stick to such a diet for a very long time. Over time, the craving for sweets will fade, and after a few years normal doses of sugar will seem sugary.
  • Such a diet is considered the lightest and "softest", unlike any other. If everything is done correctly, there will be no stress for the body and disadvantages will be avoided.
lose weight with a low carb diet

cons

It is not in vain that students are advised to eat a chocolate bar before the exam. Sugar is energy, and desserts are a quick way to get it. Therefore, a low-carb diet is not good for everyone. Some people should be mindful of the downsides of their diet and avoid low-carb diets.

  • Workers with intense mental or physical labor should not be put on such a diet. And the first and second need energy, which a person does not receive without carbohydrates.
  • Diabetics should be aware that although they should limit their carbohydrate intake, their complete absence can lead to low blood sugar levels – hypoglycemia, which is very dangerous.
  • It is worth refraining from such a diet and those who suffer from frequent edema. Drinking plenty of water is recommended on a low-carb diet, which causes even more bloating.
  • You can not adhere to such a diet for children and adolescents (except for obese). During the growth period, the body needs a normal amount of carbohydrates for development rather than a low amount of carbohydrates.
  • Pregnant women and nursing mothers do not diet. Maybe you want to lose weight after giving birth, but the health and development of the child is more important.
  • On a low-carb diet, a person eats more protein and fat. It is harmful for heart patients and those with kidney problems. Kidney stones in the diet have been reported.
  • Sometimes the regimen is accompanied by headaches and constipation. If these side effects occur, you should stop eating foods that do not contain carbohydrates.
  • With a low-carb diet, when there is restriction of sugary foods, the cravings for them become very strong. Not everyone can withstand this craving, as a result, they fail, and all the benefits of the diet go to waste.
  • Due to the drowsiness that occurs when starting the diet, it should be used with caution by drivers and people in charge of important items.

Conclusion

Any diet, including a low-carb diet, is stressful for the body, so you should not suddenly give up sugar-containing foods. The transition to a no-carb diet should be done smoothly, observing your reaction. Only in this case there will be some advantages from the diet, and it will be possible to avoid all the listed disadvantages. It's worth seeing if a low-carb regimen is right for you.