Are the Low Carb Diet Plans Right For You?
We’ve all heard about them over the past few year. The low carb high protein diet, then we went searching for a low carb low fat diet and all manner of variations. So what have we learnt about these low carb diet plans? Well, one thing’s for sure, this type of diet is very popular now, because people who are trying to lose weight have discovered how effective low carb diet plans really are. Many of us love carbs, and it really is hard to lose weight and keep it off without restricting carbs in the diet.
It’s quite overwhelming just how many weight loss diet plans and in particular low carb diet plans, there are to choose from these days, and the only way to decide which weight loss diet plan is right for you, is to compare each of them side by side to see which one you can live with. There are various websites that have a ton of information available for dieters, that compare low carb diet plans and specific information on each one. A good site to visit is www.lowcarb.ca/atkins-diet-and-low-carb-plans/ which has personal testimonials as well as support and recipes for the low carb dieter. Many websites also offer free online diet plans and interactive support for members, so it’s certainly worth doing a search for these sites.
There are good carbs and bad carbs just like anything else. Bad carbs include breads, baked goods, cereals, pastas, white potatoes, white rice, certain candies, and most alcoholic beverages. Good carbs are those that are high in fiber and low in carb count, such as, sweet potatoes, brown and wild rice, whole grain breads and pastas, fresh fruits and vegetables, and red or white wine. Each low carb diet plan is somewhat the same, except they are each unique regarding how much of what you get to eat and when. Many low carb diet plans start out with a beginning phase that is more restrictive, especially for the first two weeks, and more foods are slowly added back in as the diet progresses. Each of these low carb diet plans restricts amount of carbohydrate intake to a degree, some more than others, and fiber offsets the carb count of each food item. The higher the fiber, the lower the carb count.
The Atkins diet is focused on eating meats, protein, and good fats, and does not include any fruits or vegetables in the beginning, which may not be tolerable for some people. This diet also only allows twenty carbs or less per day, and heavily encourages the use of dietary supplements. The South Beach Diet phase one is somewhat easier to stick to because it allows a greater variety of foods in the begining, including vegetables and lean meats, and does not restrict the carb count as much as Atkins. The Zone is another popular low carb diet plan that incorporates some of the same principles of the Atkins and South Beach Diets, but the emphasis is on keeping the ratio of daily intake at 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% fat. Meals are divided into ‘blocks’ and basically the same foods are eaten throughout the diet, the only difference being, that more fat is added after goal weight is obtained to keep the dieter from continuing to lose more weight.
Whichever low carb diet plan you chose will be effective, that is a given, because carbs are what affect the insulin levels in our bodies and cause cravings. Once we have learned to eat in a healthy way, and only eat the good carbs, we will weight less and be able to keep the weight off. Be sure to consult your physician if you need to lose a considerable amount of weight, so that he or she can recommend the low carb diet plan that is right for you.
