Learn The Basics of Low Carb Diets

With so many diets out there today it's easy to get confused. So exactly what is a low carb diet? A low carb diet is actually a broad term that refers to eating plans for weight loss that focus on the reduced or controlled consumption of carbohydrates. Examples of popular low carb diets include:

• Atkins
• South Beach
• Zone
• Protein Power

Many low carb diet plans include detailed lists of "good" and "bad" foods to eat. For low carb diet regimens, careful meal preparation is a must and the urge to snack has to be overcome at all costs. Undertaking such an eating plan requires a considerable amount of willpower, so before choosing a low carb diet it's important to consider all the potential benefits and drawbacks to be certain you know exactly what you're getting into.

Consult Your Physician First

Before beginning any program of diet or exercise it is highly advisable to consult with your physician first. Both diet and exercise put a strain on your body as it struggles to adapt to the changes in routine and the kinds of "fuel" it is receiving. Individuals who suffer from high blood pressure or who have high cholesterol levels in particular should discuss high protein low carb diets with their doctors. In some instances such diets can actually worsen your medical condition and an alternate plan of weight loss may be more appropriate for your metabolism and overall health. It's always better to play it safe and get all the information first.

Benefits of Low Carb Diets

When you choose low carb diet plans there are a number of likely benefits although every person will experience an individual level of success with a given low carb diet. Studies have shown that low carb diets:

• lead to weight loss
• improve triglycerides
• reduce blood glucose
• increase "good" cholesterol
• improve insulin sensitivity
• lower the blood insulin level
• decrease blood pressure
• lessen the loss of muscle mass

Anecdotal evidence from individuals who have followed high protein low carb diet plans suggets additional benefits including:

• increased energy
• decrease cravings for sweets
• improved emotional reactions
• better mental function and capacity
• decreased compulsive or emotional eating
• improved dental hygiene

As with most diets, however, low carb diet eating plans also have their detractors.

The Disadvantages of a Low Carb Diet

Disadvantages of a low carb diet include:

• the restrictive nature of the low carb diet menu makes the diet difficult to maintain
• some people replow energy levels and headaches
• some dieters experience digestive problems with increased protein consumption
• blood pressure and cholesterol levels actually elevate

The greatest criticism from nutritionists is that in the long term a low carb diet plan may not provide enough nutritional balance. Given that caution, people who do decide to undertake a low carb diet should learn as much as possible about maintaining the correct mixture of foods. Almost all nutritionists are in agreement that balance is better than extremism in any eating plan.

Continue to: Tips for Maintaining a Low Carb Diet Plan