The low carb diet has been the latest craze in dieting today. A general description of this kind of diet is that it focuses on losing weight by limiting foods high in carbohydrates. It generally stresses eating foods high in protein and fat. Since there is no single definition of low carb, there are many different kinds of diets found within the low carb category. Each of these low carb dieting plans is very different from each other.
Low carb dieting has become more than a weight loss plan, it has become a trend that has swept the nation. It is now easier than ever to get advice and information on low carb dieting. Special cookbooks with only low carb recipes line the shelves at bookstores, dieting Web sites post discussions and comments on how to choose which low carb diet is right for you, and dozens of books can be found with advice from experts on what does or does not work.
Here is a list of a few of the most popular low carb diets and a brief description of each of them.
- Atkins diet Dr. Atkins wrote in his book that consuming high level of carbohydrates causes overproduction of insulin, which leads to increased hunger and weight gain. With this low carb diet, the hope is to lose weight by eating foods high in protein and fat and limiting foods high in carbohydrates.
- Zone diet This diet is specifically based on a person’s gender, level of activity, and body fat percentage. It is designed to have 40 percent of calories from carbohydrates, 30 from protein, and 30 from fat. With this ratio, the diet hopes to cause the body to work within its peak performance (or its “zone”) for maximum weight loss and energy.
- South Beach diet This low carb diet emphasizes normal portions of lean proteins, unlimited amounts of low-glycemic-index vegetables, lots of healthy fats, and small portions of “healthy carbs.” The diet has three phases that hope to improve cardiovascular health with lower cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol levels.
- SommerSizing diet This low carb diet is presented by Suzanne Somers and emphasizes food combining and eliminating some other foods such as sugar and white flour. The plan emphasizes among other things, eating fruits alone on an empty stomach and eating proteins and fats with vegetables and without carbohydrates.
To pick the right low carb diet for you, you’ll want to do your research and see what diet will work for you and what diet you think you will be able to maintain. With all the emphasis and excitement about low carb diets, there is a lot of easily accessible information out there on studies and advice from experts so you can find out all you need to know on each of the low carb diets you are researching. As with all diets, remember to do the basics such as drinking enough water, exercising, and keeping track of the progress you are making with your diet.
By Janelle Walker