Low-Carb Diet, Should I or Shouldn't I?

Personally, I could never successfully follow a low-carb diet, but I found this article really interesting!! It's not too long and it has a lot of good information.

Thoughts??

I would imagine the best diet for humans is one that they consumed during the last 2 million years or so of their evolution. Most people experienced in that field will say that humans consumed anywhere from 20 to 40 % carbs......Also with the large amount of plant food consumed to get to those percentages our n:6 to n:3 balance was very close to a 1:1 ratio. Omega 3's coming mostly from plant based foods and the fat from lean animals. Omega 6's were again from lean meat, nuts and seed primarily. The primary fat was monounsaturated from animal sources and to a much lesser degree from plants, nuts and seed. And of course protein coming from wild animals and to a much lesser degree from plants, nuts and seeds. Personally I feel a natural diet that's without too much prejudice for vilifying any particular nutrient and one that has a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat to be on that is sustainable whether a person is trying to lose weight, build muscle or just maintain, it's that simple imo.

Don't do it!!! Ugh, terrible awful and totally unnecessary. 

Under 40% carbohydrates can cause irritability, anxiety, fatigue and depression.

I'd personally suggest a 'smart carb' rather than a 'low carb' diet per se.  A reasonable balance would be to get anything from 40-65% of your daily calories from carbohydrates and the 'smart' ones would be things like vegetables, fruit, pulses/legumes and wholegrain foods.  Foods like that are nutritious, keep your digestion running smoothly, keep your energy levels up and, if you control the portions, aren't all that calorific.  Plus you can eat reasonably normally.... you don't need 'special foods'...  and that's a much underrated factor.

This is a topic worth discussing.  I won't say if you should or shouldn't, but I'll show you the information available here at Calorie Count, in the Advice section, under Experts

Basic Nutrition - Carbohydrates About.com Nutrition Guide, Shereen Jegtvig, explains what carbs are and what they do in the body.

Low Carb Diet Guide About.com Low Carb Diets Guide, Laura Dolson, MA, talks about how to use low carb diets to lose weight.  You'll get a full explantion, and there won't be any commercial interest to wade through.

Ask Mary About Low Carbs Mary Hartley, our Calorie Count nutritionist, answers questions about carbs.

I hope this helps you out and contributes to the discussion.

Hi ladies. Personally..I have done low-carb for a long time on and off. Does the weight come off? Yes. Fast? Depends on how drastic you follow it. I can tell you off hand..I have done it pretty drastic..like under 10carbs per day. I think we consume way too many carbs anyhow so cutting back is great. I have always gained back my weight from my low-carb diets because they are very hard to stick to. I also noticed this last time I did it drastically I just plain out always felt sick, tired, and grouchy.

Original Post by strawberryshortcake79:

I have done it pretty drastic..like under 10carbs per day.

 Just curious, how did you manage that? Fruits and veggies alone put me WAY above that every day, not to mention rice and grains... I usually get around a 70/15/15 balance by the end of the day, but I think the 70% is due a lot to how much fruit I eat on a daily basis.

low carb dieting gave me a good start for dropping weight.  I didn't weigh when I knew I was over 200 pounds.  (that helped  LOL  not!!!!)

weight came off but I ended up constipated.  YUCK!!!!  I couldn't believe it after a while I got tired of bacon.

Carbs espcially yucky ones are way to prevelant in our diets today.   I had wedding cake last night for the first non nutritional (you know what I mean) carbs in a week.  have been avoiding the real junk food like I do the flu!  oh did I mention, I believe I am a carbohydrate addict.  once I start i don't quit until i am sick.  it is the junky stuff that triggers me.  I chose to eat a piece of wedding cake last night.  Good luck for the bride, right.  This morning I didn't think about the sweet strawberries or the wonderful grapes (best I ever tasted) I had last night but first food thought was the icing on the wedding cake.   Good luck with your choices.  Avoid the ding dongs and other junkie stuff.  Choose wholesome carbs.  When you do have carbs.

love & light

marjg

Well no fruits or veggies. I would do strictly protein, shakes, and only raw green veggies. Like I said very hard to stick to and unhealthy for too long.

Yikes... I don't think I could stick to that for even half a day! Just think how much tofu and beans I would have to eat... My stomach would be so messed up!