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Low Carbohydrate Diets >Low Carbohydrate DietsLow Carbohydrate Diets
To help with weight issues and for overall improved health, many people turn to diets. In fact, government statistics show that while about 65 percent of Americans are overweight but only 38 percent are actually doing something about it. According to a recent survey by the National Health Institute, about a third of overweight Americans who are trying to lose weight, are doing so by eating less carbohydrates (carbs) largely because of the increased popularity of diets like Atkins Low Carb Diet and the South Beach Diet. Although there have certainly been other low carb or low sugar diet plans before, and more will most assuredly come out in the years ahead, let's take a look at the basics behind many of the major plans. And let's take a look at how they fit into the real world today. Because while it might be great to lower the body's sugar content and be healthier, wouldn't it be great to learn how to do so while being part of this fast-paced world? In the world of instant messaging, quick Internet interaction and the already multi-faceted day-to-day hectic schedules, dietary food budgeting, planning, preparing and shopping are issues that can become major sources of stress and reasons for dieting failure. Dual income families on-the-go and other super-busy wage earners and dieters often already suffer from more than their share of everyday stressors like fears of being laid off, their jobs being relocated or terminated, juggling more than one job, dependents (both elderly and minors) and trying to fund and juggle continuing education into their lives, budgets, and daily routines. People want and need simpler solutions. And they need simpler dieting plans. Forget spending mega bucks on gourmet, hard-to-find items. Forget spending hours just to prepare meals. And forget counting, measuring, and weighing ingredients. Either a low carb diet plan can fit into real world lives, or it doesn't. First we'll take a look at some basic terms and definitions to help understand the science behind low carb diet plans. Let's see how many of the major players' plans measure up. Note that the contents here are not presented from a medical practitioner, and that any and all dietary planning should be made under the guidance of your own medical practitioners. This content only presents overviews of low-carb research for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice from a professional physician.
In a nutshell, there are two kinds of carbohydrates, simple and complex. Some refer to them as bad and good carbs, fast and slow digestion carbs and other possibly confusing lingo. Here's the scoop.
Foods with simple or refined carbohydrates most often have a low nutrient content and a high-glycemic index. They are quick to digest and can cause blood sugar to soar then fall dramatically within a short span of time. In order to keep the body running more healthy and stable, health advisors recommend that these type foods be limited. Examples of these simple carbs are white bread, potatoes, bananas, and sugary treats like cookies, candy, cupcakes and cakes, and soda beverages like popular cola products.
Foods with complex carbohydrates contain many nutrients and have a low- to moderate-glycemic index. Higher fiber content in these foods means slower digestion, which is healthier for the body. And these foods are considered good choices by health advisors. Examples of these complex carbs are whole grains, most fruits and vegetables. Legumes, plants of the pea or bean family, are also in this category.
While studies like one from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in January of 2004 show that low carb diets can help with weight loss; the carbs need to be of the complex, low-glycemic type. Notable is that a total avoidance of the simple carbs is not necessary, either. In other words a treat now and then, in moderation (and approved per your dietary advisor or in accordance with your health practitioner), should be fine. As a side note, your teeth will also be healthier without the build up of sugar decay from simple carb foods. So healthier smiles will shine with healthier bodies. Other useful terms for Low Carb Dieting In a nutshell, most low carb diets carry the same basic premise: that too much of simple, refined carbohydrates leads to over overproduction of insulin, which leads to the storage of too much fat in the body. This fat storage is especially prominent around the middle. While there are degrees of difference among the many diets, they all agree on the negative effects that excess insulin production have on our systems.
There are three basic units the body uses for energy: 1 Fats All three can be converted to blood glucose. However, while fats and proteins are converted slowly, carbohydrates are converted quickly causing quick spikes in the body's blood sugar levels. These spikes in blood sugar levels cause the pancreas to create and release insulin until the blood sugar level returns to normal. Meanwhile, insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas that lowers our blood's glucose levels is released into the blood as soon as the body detects that blood sugar levels have risen above its optimal level. Insulin is a very efficient hormone that runs the body's fuel storage systems. If there is excess sugar or fat in the blood insulin will signal the body to store it in the body's fat cells. Insulin also tells these cells not to release their stored fat, making that fat unavailable for use by the body as energy. Since this stored fat cannot be released for use as energy, insulin
very effectively prevents weight loss. The higher the body's insulin levels, the more
effectively it prevents fat cells from releasing their stores, and the harder it becomes
to lose weight. According to many authorities, over the long term, high insulin levels
can lead to insulin resistance and cause serious health problems like the ones listed
below: Carbohydrates, especially simple carbs like sugar and starch, are quickly turned into sucrose by the body entering the blood stream quicker thereby causing the release of large amounts of insulin. The fewer carbs are eaten, the less insulin is produced by the body, and the fewer calories are stored as fat. Less fat storage equals less weight gain and fewer carbs eaten equals less insulin in the blood and the body using its fat stores for fuel. The premise behind every low carb diet plan is that a body that produces less insulin burns more fat than a body that produces lots of insulin. Some low carb diet plans encourage a period of extremely low carbohydrate intake so that the body will enter a state of ketosis and more quickly burn fat stores. These are usually called induction periods. The length of extreme carb control varies from seven days to however long it takes you to reach your ideal weight. After this period of extremely low carb dieting, maintenance levels of carb consumption are followed to prevent weight gain. The amount of carb you can safely eat will depend on your unique body system. And you will probably have to experiment to find out what level of carb intake is best for you. No matter what your carb intake, it will be lower than the norm and you will still eliminate white flour and white flower products and certain other sugary and starchy foods. This is why these diet plans are known as low carb lifestyles. Low carb dieting success requires that you be willing to give up simple carbs for the long-term. ___________________________________________________
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