This debate will continue to go on while people remain dieting
in order to lose weight, carbohydrates (carbs) have been highly publicised by
some diets as being a prime nutrient of weight gain. Low-carb diets are food plans that restrict carbohydrate consumption for weight loss. Foods high
in carbohydrates, such as bread and pasta are restricted and replaced with
protein rich foods (e.g. meat), high fat foods (e.g. dairy and fried food) and
foods low in carbs (e.g. green leafy vegetables). This
forces the body to use fat & protein from food also stored body fat as its
main source of energy and weight loss can take place rapidly. Some well known
diets like the Atkins, Stillman or Hollywood use these methods, they have
become famous for their fast results and are regularly used by celebrities on a
short term basis before a film or award show. Other benefits such as blood
sugar levels being reduced and lower blood pressure have been documented, but these
diets have not gone without their criticism. Overlooking the superficial
benefits there are severe underlying health risks which dieticians and
researchers are keen to point out. Risks such as kidney damage from the high
levels of proteins, heart disease and a risk of cancer are just a few of the
listed risks. The brain is also fuelled by carbs so with these diets you can
suffer from a lack of concentration too. Carbohydrates are the bodies’ main and
optimum energy source so without carbs in your diet it can lead to a real lack
of energy so strenuous exercise is not recommended and this is not a diet taken
by sports people, it is like the lazy persons option to losing weight.
It is true that huge amounts of weight can be lost really
quickly so that’s why I say that if you wish to follow the diet then it should
be a short term option. With it comes the consequences of yo-yo dieting, as the
body now craves carbs, once you again introduce it into your diet you can
quickly put the weight back on. I would never be an advocate of such dieting
methods and believe that everything should be consumed in moderation making
sure that your calorie intake does not exceed your calorie expenditure, so
simply put exercise and eat a balanced diet is my tip to losing weight.
Written by
Erron Dussard
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