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They say history and fashion repeat themselves. And apparently the same is true for diet trends. What we now know as the carb-fad, first came out in the 1970s. It caught just as much criticism then for potential health risks as it in recent years. With more research and science backing the idea than ever before, low-carb diets are popular and more acceptable.
We saw how Dr. Robert Atkins devoted his life to showing the benefits of practicing a low-carb lifestyle. A low-carb diet can most notably shed pounds, but followers have also found their cholesterol to decrease and that they have more energy. With Atkins as the flagship low-carb diet, there are many others promoting the positive, lasting effects including The Zone, South Beach and Carb Addicts.
While each of these low-carb diets puts their own spin on the program, they're all rooted in the same principles: limitation of carbs and inclusion of fat and protein.
By eliminating carbs from your diet, you're effectively decreasing the production of glucose, which is involved with regulating blood sugar and weight. When there are no new carbohydrates entering the body, it is forced to start relying on storage. When these carbs are burned, water is produced. This results in loss of water weight. Once the body has used up all the stored carbs, it turns to fat for energy. This fat is then burned off to give your body the energy it needs. That's when you see the anticipated results.
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- It's become more acceptable with mainstream healthcare experts.
- There are studies that show low-carb diets produce positive results for those seeking to lose weight and manage their cholesterol.
- There are still critics who contend that the high consumption of fat during a low-carb diet can be detrimental to your health in the long run.
With a low-carb diet comes the dismissal of stand-by, starchy favorites. You'll say goodbye to bread, pasta, potatoes, cookies and so much more. The flip side is that you can indulge in all the butter, bacon, eggs and cheese you can eat. Each plan varies slightly, with some less strict plans allowing produce and whole grains.
Depends on the plan, but most have accompanying exercise recommendations.
There are plenty of low-carb approaches you can choose from. But they all share the basic principles of eliminating certain carbs and stressing proteins and healthy fats. While there are still critics, most of these plans aren’t as drastic in the long run as you may think.
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(Page 2 of 2, 32 total comments)frances
+the best diet , works, do not stay hungry, nails and hair healthier, lost 16 pounds in less than 2 months
posted Nov 30th, 2008 9:17 pmSlimmerguy
+Watched Gary Taubes' presentation and went onto Atkins Diet. After 5 weeks I am down 15lbs and at my ideal weight. I am increasing veggies and fruits. Have more energy and endurance and feel great. Spent years on starvation diets with poor results. Why are the medical profession still advocating approaches to weight loss/exercise that just don't work?
posted Oct 9th, 2008 12:02 amjames haberland
+i love the atkins low carb diet, in just two weeks i lost 20 pounds by eating the foods i love. my goal is to lose 60 lbs by my birthday .
posted Oct 6th, 2008 8:38 pmanon
Eat lean meats and green veggies only for 1-2 weeks.U lose lbs but dont feel starved or deprived. It works great.
posted Jul 29th, 2008 10:34 pmFR1234
It's true. I'm doing low carb. It's working well. My blood sugar is under control. I'm losing weight and I eat way more salad than I ever used to on a "healthy diet" and now I like it because instead of low fat crap dressing, I get the real stuff, RANCH!
posted Jun 12th, 2008 1:46 pmAnonymous
Low-carb works. I have done it mutiple times and I lose weight. Its when I go back to eating alot of unhealthy carbs that I start to gain the weight back. That is not to say tha you will never be able to eat a cookie again, however most of us don't just eat one or two cookies. The best way to do atkins is to stick with leaner meats...chicken, turkey, fish. Your cholestrol wont be affected as much. Also eat green leafy vegetables. By doing this not only will you lose weight but you will be getting rid of the waste in your body on a regular basis. Now for those of you like me who crave something sweet every so often, atkins make some decent snacks that help you through those tough time. Also you can try one of my favorite low carb desserts....sugar free jello with whipped cream....mmmmm
posted Apr 22nd, 2008 4:49 pmAnonymous
The biggest mistake people make is thinking that you cut out veggies, You wont ever eat as many veggies as you do on low carb because they take the place of alot of the usless carbs you eat. Broccoli and dip instead of chips. Dont fall prey to the naysayers, low carb is the heathiest way to eat. Most importantly low carb works and works well
Bellacina
THIS WORKS, I went on it twice and both times was able to loose 60 pounds after having my babies!!! I was in the best health of my life and full of energy! I recommed it to anyone!!! ATKINS is KING!!!!!
Anonymous
A lot of people take it to extremes, A diet of eggs and bacon isn't good. Include whole grains, veggies, lean proteins. Get rid of all the useless carbs- sugar, potatoes, pasta, garbage foods. I have lost 65 pounds this way. It IS an adjustment but worked better than anything I've ever tried!
Frenchy
Thanks for the overview. It was good to see low-carb as a whole and not a specific spin like Atkins or Beach.
NYC_Melissa
You guys- I've seriously never been on a tougher diet. But I've also never lost the weight and been able to keep it off like this. I went crazy for bread and potatos at first, but you don't miss them for long. Especially when you step on the scale and see its working!!!
Brian Cooke
I just don't understand how it can be healthy to cut out fruit and vegetables? They have nutrients that your body needs. I also don't understand how that much fat can do any good.