When it comes to the effectiveness of a low carb diet, the debate is still going strong. Despite that, one thing remains clear and that would be the fact that it works very well for a lot of people. In maintaining a steady level of insulin in our bloodstreams and preventing a potential sugar rush as well as keeping our energy levels stable, a low carb diet has proven itself time and again that it is beneficial for these purposes.
The Low Carb Basics
There are a number of different low carb diet plans available nowadays. Some diets more popular than others (of course we prefer Jonny Bowden’s New You in 22 diet program) but there are honestly others out there that are comparable … not quite as good though. 😉
The idea is pretty simple; our bodies all work in different ways and would have different needs as well. There’s no such thing as a standard when it comes to diet plans. What works well for another may not work that great on you and vice versa. This is something that not everybody understands but needs to know.
Currently, there are a couple of diets that center on maintaining and keeping track of proper carb intake. Among them would be the popular Atkins Diet which has users watching over their carb consumption in order to lose and maintain their weight. Others, such as the equally popular South Beach diet, focus on the glycemic index of different food products. Of course, each of these diets tends to differ, but in general, they limit the person’s intake of cereals, grains, sugar, and bread as well as some fruits. There are those that are more lenient when it comes to these restrictions and do so in varying stages of the program as well. With that in mind, it is important for an individual to choose one based on his or her lifestyle as well as preferences.
The Theory Behind Low Carb Diets
The theory behind this carb limitation program is based upon the way our bodies react towards the food group itself. Consuming carbohydrates effectively increases the blood sugar level in our body and in effect, it also triggers it to create more insulin so that we may properly digest the carbs and use it for energy. Now, low carb and low sugar diet fans state that when carbs are restricted, the body would then turn to using the stored fat in order to produce energy which would then lead to weight loss. Also, reducing our carb consumption effectively eliminates any rapid changes when it comes to our blood sugar levels—often linked to the sudden dumping of insulin into our system which subsequently causes a sugar rush.
Most of the available low carb diet programs would allow you to eat (unlimited) vegetables such as peppers and lettuce which are known to be very low in carbs but have high nutritional content. However, higher carb veggies such as peas and carrots would certainly be limited. As for fats and protein, different diets have their own take on it. South Beach, for one, would have you eating lean meats along with heart healthy fats whilst the Atkins diet is more lenient when it comes to the consumption of saturated fat—in moderation.
Some of the Benefits
It wouldn’t be very popular with the health and fitness crowd if this particular diet didn’t have fantastic benefits. The basics would be: weight-loss, an overall feeling of lightness, less lethargy and higher energy levels, more consistent moods, prevention of the dreaded sugar rush and the binge eating that often happens after it. Among these, many people would certainly enjoy the fact that they won’t be as lethargic as usual after eating. Carbohydrates tend to do this, make us feel drowsy half-way through the day that we lose focus. A lighter lunch, one with much less carbs, would certainly help solve this problem.
If you’re among those who tend to depend on snacks just to get that energy bust needed to get through the rest of the day, then you’ll also benefit from this diet. As previously mentioned, it helps in maintaining the proper blood sugar levels in our bodies so you need not resort to snacking throughout the day just to feel energized.