No Carb Diet
There are many different factors that can be considered when starting a diet (calories, types of fat etc), and consumption of carbohydrates is one of them. So, should you start a no carbs diet to boost your weight loss? Here are some important points to consider.
Low, Not No Carbs
To have a true no carbs diet is going to severely limit you in terms of what you can eat. Most meats and fish are zero carbs (as long as they are not processed), as are some cheeses like cheddar, camembert and parmesan. Then there are very low carb foods like salad vegetables – lettuce, cucumber and celery. Eggs, broccoli and cabbage are also low carb.
Why Start A No Carbs Diet?
The whole premise behind a no or low carb diet is that it leads to a reduced insulin production in the body, causing it to use stored fat as the main energy source. A diet such as this typically involves eating large amounts of meat, cheese and butter. By not providing carbohydrates to the body, it is forced to use fat as the main energy source.
The Downside To A No Carbs Diet
The downside of this effect is that some parts of the body are unable to use fat as their energy source (such as the brain and red blood cells). Without carbohydrates to fuel them, the body will create ‘ketone bodies’ as a substitute fuel for these parts of the body. When this happens, the person is said to be in a state of ‘ketosis’. This state is typically characterised by bad breath, nausea and fatigue.
Who Should Go On A No Carbs Diet?
A low carb diet can cause pretty quick weight loss, which is why it is often the choice of celebrities who need to drop a dress size for an event.
These celebrities however do not go low carb permanently, or for health reasons. With this is in mind, it could be argued that a no or low carb diet is not for the average man or woman in the street. Not only will the high protein intake put an unnecessary strain on your kidneys, getting into the habit of rapid weight loss followed by weight gain is not a healthy lifestyle choice.
Is A No Carbs Diet A Sensible Option?
Whilst a no carbs diet may show pretty quick results, it is by no means a balanced diet. A diet such as this will deprive your body of vital nutrients it needs, as well as starving your brain of its primary energy source – carbohydrates. The health risks involved far outnumber the short term and short lived weight loss.
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