Low Carb Diet

What is low carb diet?

Low carb diet, or low carbonhydrate diet is type of diet that restricts amount of carbohydrates you consume on daily basis. In this diet foods high in carbs, starches and sugar are replaced with other foods like chicken, beef and cheese which are high in protein.

How does a low carb diet work? 

Low carb diets are based on the principle that a diet low in carbohydrates leads to decreased production of body's insulin, resulting in consumption of fat stores as energy source.  Also since you are reducing your fiber intake on a low carb diet you can expect to have a little constipation as well.

Carb

Carbohydrates have been taking a beating for their putative effect on the waistline in recent years due to the surge of low-carb diets such as the Atkins diet.  Carbs, short for carbohydrates, are a source of energy found in grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy foods.  Carbs supply your body with the glucose (sugar) it needs for energy.  Carbs are divided into two types: simple and complex.  Carbohydrates should make up less than 10 percent, and in some cases, less than 5 percent of daily calorie intake.  Above all, don't fall for the common myths about eating low carb such as that there are no vegetables or fruit, that it can't be healthy, that it has to be boring, etc.  Like other ways of eating, low carb eating can be healthy or not, balanced or not, and there is certainly no reason for it to be boring.  The popular plans span a range of carb levels and food choices, though essentially all of them cut out most sugars and starches.  This effectively cuts back on the carbohydrate in your diet, especially the high glycemic types.  You can create many of your own homemade low-carb and sugar-free treats.

Diet

Those on alow carb diet should get at least 60 to 70 percent of their daily calorie intake from fat.  A cut on all carbohydrate from the diet and increased protein and fat intake.  That's why sometimes Low Carb Diets claim to be luxurious diets.

Weight

People diet for two primary reasons, to lose weight, or to improve health--or both.  If you are a healthy adult who is not overweight and who has no family members who are obese, the food pyramid recommendations of the USDA will work fine, as long as you remember that the carbohydrates that are recommended are those contained in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.  However, even those who are healthy and who are not overweight can maintain their health and vitality by following a reduced carbohydrate lifestyle.  Keep in mind, however, that when you choose a higher level of carbohydrates than what is needed to bring on ketosis, you may have to limit your total food intake (calories) somewhat in order to lose weight.  A healthy way to lose weight in general, on a low-carb diet it is not necessary to count calories.  Eating a high level of fat actually causes you to lose weight faster than if you were fasting.  In some cases, for those who are metabolically resistant, reducing total food intake may help to stimulate or maintain weight loss.

Although diets vary in their recommendations, as a general rule, alow carb diet is synonymous with a high-fat and moderate protein diet.