Is the Low Carb Diet Dangerous To Your Health?

Question

I have been on this diet for a month and lost 8 lbs and I'm angry all the time and get these bad headaches. I guess because I cant any kind of sugar, bread or cokes at all.

Answer 1

My ideas? Try to do 200 minutes of cardio a week. Remember fat does not turn into muscle, so you need to lose your fat while putting on muscle. Work hard, but don't over 60 minutes at a time. Do planks and other abs exercises on alternate days.

On training days, do 5-10 minutes of cardio to warm up, then do your weight training. Do 30 to 60 minutes more of cardio, then go home.

The best time to eat is just after your workout within an hour when your metabolism is raging. For your muscles, incorporate some isolated soy protein or whey protein. Whey is more potent but the soy tastes better!

Don't look at your scale as the be all and end all, but get a measuring tape to check your progress, and that will show more tangible results.

Read magazines like Shape, Womens Fitness, Fitness, etc to get tips and to stay motivated.

Good luck and stick at it. This plan has lost me 20 lbs in 12 weeks so far, just go for it!

Answer 2

I think they arent so good. Your body needs carbs, just the RIGHT ones. I eat bread but its low calorie (45 a slice) wheat. You can have wheat tortillas too which are pretty good.
I have lost 68 lbs by watching my proportions, cut out the junk but dont skimp on things I really want like my french vanilla sweetner for my coffee. I tried a long time ago in the beginning not to eat carbs and I too got headaches but I had no energy either.
If you are feeling bad then its not good for you.
CONGRATS on the 8 lbs...look into Weight watchers if you need to be on a 'diet', that helps alot too.....WW you can have just about anything you can but its the AMOUNT of what you can have so that way you dont feel cheated out of say sugars or cokes...
Good luck to you! :)

Answer 3

your body NEEDS carbs - but the right ones.
It is great that you did that for a month, but you should slowly incorporate the good carbs back into your diet. What you did was so good because you changed your body chemistry, and the way your body will react to these things in the future. I would recommend that you read The South Beach Diet book (the original) It looks like a lot to read, but it really isn't since half the book is recipes and diet plans. You will gain a better understanding of it all.

Answer 4

there are good carbs and bad carbs. the south beach diet includes the good carbs. I did this last year and felt a lot better and had more energy. the thing is, not every diet works for everyone and with EVERY diet, you need to get at least 30 minuts of walking in a day.

Answer 5

A pharmacist told me your brain works off of sugar, so maybe that's why you're having the headaches.

The biggest health risk I've heard is that too many proteins is bad for your kidneys.

People who trash this diet should consider that there's health risks of being overweight, too.

Health food stores carry lots of low carb foods, but it's easy to get addicted to them, and they cost more. I did best on the diet when I wasn't eating these special low carb ice creams, or breads, and such, so I don't know if I should recommend it.

For soda, get sodas that are sweetened entirely of splenda, or acesulfame K. Diet Rite has been doing this for years, but newer sodas have caught on. I haven't done all my homework, but Atkins always used to preach splenda was good, and I think acesulfame-k is big-time for diabetics, so that makes me think it doesn't impact blood sugar; again, I haven't done my full research. Diet Rite doesn't have caffeine and its sweetened with splenda.

Answer 6

Drink Diet coke...you get used to the flavor and you get your caffiene fix still so no headaches!
No, its not bad for you if you (as someone said earlier) re-introduce good carbs back into your diet. You need carbs for energy, but if you have fat on your body, you will burn that off if you refrain from putting new energy sources back in, thats why it works. Short term hardcore, then get back to it moderately with whole grains and for crying out loud...why is everyone so hung up on sweets anyway? Gross.

Answer 7

Followed properly, a low-carb diet is very healthy. You should be emphasizing fresh meat and veggies, low-sugar fruits. Cut out sugars and starches. Avoid processed foods. Drink your water and get your exercise.

Answer 8

Low carb diets are not healthy nor are they effective. The weight you are losing is mostly muscle instead of fat. Your body needs carbs to transport the proteins to the muscles where they can be utilized.

Now as you lose muscle you will also lose your ability to burn fat (muscle = metabolism).

As everyone has said there are good carbs (wheat, brown rice, oats, potatoes, greens, etc...) and then there are bad carbs (white rice, white flower, etc...). Stay away from bad carbs and eat plenty of the good carbs. You should be eating at least 40% of your total calorie intake in good carbs, 40% in proteins and 20% in good fats.

Adam Beazley
http://www.fat-burn-secrets.com/burnfat.html

Answer 9

It can be if you stay on it. You aren't supossed to be on it for longer than 2 weeks. Add healthy carbs like whole wheat toast for breakfast and in your sandwich at lunch. Eat brown rice. If you keep the amounts low you will still lose 2-3 pounds a week. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 10

I did this diet years ago, and completely followed the Dr. Atkin's method, and I never had any problems. Some diets don't work for everyone. I tried it again after having my baby, and it didn't work for me, so I tried low cal, and it worked great!! I would suggest trying different things until you find something that makes you happy, and lose weight!