Should You Try a Low Carb Fad Diet?

Are you tempted to go on a low carb fad diet? You'll want to educate yourself about the pros and cons of low carb fad diets before you try it.

Low carb and no carb diet plans assert that you will lose weight if you severely limit the number of carbs you eat each day. The facts behind this diet plan is that a low carb diet will reduce your body's dependence on insulin, since the diet keeps your blood sugar level low. Insulin production can cause your body to store calories as fat. Because of this change in insulin production, you will lose weight if you cut your carb consumption severely.

Unfortunately, low carb diet programs lure dieters in with the promise that they will lose weight without watching portions or counting calories. The idea is the dieter can eat unlimited amounts of low carb foods such as bacon and hamburger and still lose weight, a concept that has been challenged by a study put on by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. This weight loss study examined the efforts and results of 800 adults trying various weight loss diet plans. The results of the study showed that you need to count calories and limit caloric intake if you wish to lose weight and keep it off.

Another common complant about low carb fad diets is that the cravings are too much to handle. Because your body needs carbs, you will find yourself fighting cravings, making it very difficult to remain on this diet plan for the long term.

Another common complaint is that low carb diets sap you of energy. It's very difficult to exercise when you have no energy. If you don’t eat carbs, it’s very challenging to perform well athletically. If you quit exercising, you may lose fat but you won't gain muscle, which in turn burns calories.

Now you know the truth about low carb fad diets.