Are low carb diets heathy?

Question

I have done some research online and it seems people's opinions on low carb diets are divided.

I meant healthy

Answer 1

Low carb diets are extremely healthy IF followed correctly. Unfortunately, most people who went on them during the "craze" had no clue as to what was the correct way to do it.

I've been on Atkins for several years. I lost my weight two years ago and have never felt better in my life. I also have much better bloodwork. I chose Atkins because of genetic cholesterol issues and my doctor has advised me to stay on it for life, which I'm more than happy to do.

I am able to eat whole foods including saturated fat. This is what keeps you interested in what you're eating! I eat plenty of vegetables and fruit. When I want sweets there are plenty of substitutes available. To keep life interesting I do use low-carb breads, pasta, etc. I don't miss the things I choose not to eat because what I CAN eat is far, far better.

You should know that cardiologists are putting heart patients on Atkins and so are the doctors who treat diabetics. It's not at all what was portrayed in the media. It's VERY healthy.

The one thing that's most important with low-carbing is that you can't go off it on weekends and special occasions. When you're eating a high fat diet, which you MUST do when low carbing you'd be inviting heart disease.

We eat low carb so burn fat for energy. You would have no energy if you ate low carb and low fat. If you have "days off" you go back to carb burning and your body then has to deal with the bad fats, which it will store.

Another important point that has been all over the media is that when you "return to normal eating" you gain your weight back. Well... DUH! It was that eating that got these people fat in the first place. Low carb is not a temporary thing. It's for life. And the best part is that you lose all cravings for sweets, chips, etc.

Good luck to you! I wish I would have discovered Atkins many years ago. My life would have been a whole lot happier because I wouldn't have struggled with weight for so many years.

Answer 2

The goal is generally to stay under 35-40g of carbs a day, and eat 4-8 ounces of protein with each meal. Low carb means cutting sugar, bread, candy, cake, treats, processed foods loaded with corn syrup, white rice (Basmati rice is ok), cutting high-glycemic fruits like magoe, banana, watermelon, and high-glycemic vegetables like potatoes, corn and peas. Generally, you eat protein and a small serving of fat in the morning like 1/4 of an avocado (it breaks down slowly so you have more stable blood sugar).
Some people got the wrong idea that low carb dieting meant eating as much meat and cheese as you can stuff down your throat- that's not true. It's lean meats, and at most, 2 ounces of cheese.
I think it's important to get with a nutritionist to work out an eating plan.

Answer 3

I've been on low carb for 3 weeks (since Jan 1) and along with exercising for 30 minutes 4 or 5 times a week, I have lost weight all over. ! I fit into clothes that I haven't worn since 1999- even blouses, so somehow I lost fat over my entire body. My husband also lost a lot of extra bloat and he fit into jeans he got 5 years ago. I feel lean, firm, healthy, and trim. My stomach is FINALLY getting flat.
My doctor put me on this diet, so I had a complete plan from him and a dietitian.
What's weird is, the idea of eating candy or cake doesn't appeal to me now. It would kind of feel like poison-ish because now I know how bad it was for my body.

Answer 4

You should expect the same here.

One problem with "low carb diets" is that uninformed people try to just eliminate carbs and think they are following a good diet. There's more to it than that.

I don't think any expert will tell you that eliminating refined sugars and refined grains is bad. But that's not the same as a low carb diet. Whole grains, while carbs, are very good for you and should be part of every diet. Even the Atkins diet, the granddaddy of the low carb craze allows for whole grains.

Answer 5

My doctor put me on a low carb diet to improve my cholesterol, blood pressure (which was sky high) reverse my Type 2 diabetes and lose weight before getting pregnant. That was 4 years ago. I lost 80 pounds. My blood pressure came down to normal healthy levels. I was able to stop taking my diabetes medicine. And my cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL/HDL levels are at a very healthy range. I no longer have to take any medicine. I have kept off the weight by adhering to the "maintenance" phase of the Atkins diet. I eat protein, healthy fats and lots of vegetables and salads. And I got pregnant quickly once my weight came down. Low carb is a lifestyle. If you quit it when you reach your goal weight, you'll get fat again. This holds true for ANY diet that you go off of. I recommend you read one of the the early editions of Dr. Atkins book. You can check it out at any library. Good luck.

Answer 6

They are as long as you get at least 40grams of carbs per day...good carbs, not crap like white bread.

Answer 7

replace a wrap with two low carb whole wheat slices of bread

Answer 8

are your dishes too big a healthy dinner should fit on a 9 inch plate

Answer 9

jog on the treadmill at 4 mph for 25 minutes or at 7 mph for 9 minutes

Answer 10

a handful of unsalted pumpkin seeds make for a healthy mid day snack theyre rich in magnesium which helps lower blood pressure