Do Low Carb Fad Diets Work?

You’ve heard of low carb fad diets, but you’re not sure if they work. You'll want to educate yourself about the pros and cons of low carb fad diets before you try it.

Low carb diet plans are based on the idea that you will lose weight if you limit or cut out all carbs from your diet. The trustworthy premise behind this diet plan is that a low carb diet keeps your blood sugar low—ask any diabetic—and therefore decreases your body’s production of insulin. 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.

The bad news is these plans claim dieters can lose weight without limiting calories or portions. A recent study by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the Natitional Institutes of Health counters this assertion. This study oversaw the weight loss efforts of 800 adults using four different diet plans, low carb included. The end conclusion was you must limit caloric intake if you want to lose weight long term.

Low carb fad diet plans also don’t account for dealing with cravings that come up. If you can't resist the cravings, you can't stay on the plan long enough to see results.

Another common complaint is that low carb diets sap you of energy. Carbohydrates are necessary for energy, especially if you want to combine exercise with your diet plan. Most effectvie diet plans incorporate vigorous exercise, which is difficult to muster when you haven't eat any carbs. 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.