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What is a Low-Carbohydrate Diet?

11-02-2009

As one of the most popular diets for immediate weight losses of up to ten to fifteen pounds in the first two weeks that the diet has been implemented, a low carb diet is defined as one where less than forty percent of the food that is consumed is made up of carbohydrates. Although this number may seem average, an extra ten to twenty percent of carbohydrates can make a large difference.

What types of foods are avoided when a low carbohydrate diet is followed? During a low carbohydrate diet, the types of foods which are avoided are white breads and refined foods such as sugars and processed foods. There are some fruits which are to be avoided including pineapple, and some vegetables including root vegetables which can contain high levels of carbohydrates, although they are not refined.

Before beginning a low carbohydrate diet, it is important to complete a phase which is referred to as “induction” by the Atkins diet, which is one of the most popular types of low carbohydrate diets. During this phase of the diet the dieter begins to remove these types of foods from the diet and limit the carbohydrates that are consumed by more than sixty percent. During this process the dieter often sees an initial impressive weight loss that can keep them motivated throughout the weight loss process. This phase of the low carbohydrate diet can last anywhere from two to four weeks, depending on the amount of weight which should be lost. A person that is trying to lose more weight will spend more time in this type of phase.

Low carbohydrate diets are effective weight loss tools but have one downfall; when the diet is resumed, the person that has been following the diet tends to regain the weight that has been lost through the low carbohydrate diet program. Luckily, many of the diet programs which see initial weight loss from the reduction of carbohydrates within the diet are equipped with some sort of maintenance program that allow the dieter to slowly introduce these carbohydrates back into the diet while making healthy substitutions for high fat and refined foods.

The internet is a vast tool when it comes to finding recipes that are low in carbohydrates and low in fat. This way, the dieter can avoid the repercussions that come with a diet that is low in carbohydrates but is high in fat at the same time. There has been much controversy over the fact that many low carbohydrate diets promote fatty foods as they are low in carbohydrates – this can lead to health problems much worse than a few extra pounds.

If you are seeking a way to lose a few pounds and are willing to put time and effort not only into a diet plan but into a lifestyle plan that can create healthy changes and good carbohydrates – as opposed to high fat, complex carbohydrates than the low carbohydrate lifestyle is for you!