Panelists evaluate the safety of low-carb diets as a means to lose weight.

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Many people are confused about how low carb diets work. It doesn’t make sense to them that you can eat more fat and protein than is traditionally called for and still lose weight.

A low carb diet plan greatly restricts the amount of carbohydrates you consume, as compared with a traditional North American diet, or even compared with a low fat diet. While our bodies would usually burn stored carbohydrates for energy, low carb eating forces the body to burn more stored fat instead. When this happens, your body produces chemicals called “ketones”. Ketones result when your kidneys convert fat to soluble waste. Getting your body to reach this point is one of the goals of a low carbohydrate diet.

There is a scientific reason behind the development of this diet. Dr. Robert Atkins first introduced the concept of eating a low carbohydrate diet in the 1970s. He noticed that primitive people consumed a diet of mostly meat, vegetables and some fruit.

Because this diet was in existence for thousands of years before the development of agriculture, Atkins concluded that the reason most people had difficulty losing weight and keeping it off is that we are eating contrary to the way our digestive system is set up. In other words, our bodies do not support eating wheat, barley and other grains and sugars.

In the 1990s the diet seemed to be rediscovered and became known as the Atkins New Diet Revolution. Since the reemergence of the Atkins diet, other low carb diets have been developed that are variations of it. The Zone Diet, the Stillman Diet, the Hollywood Diet, the Ketogenic Diet and the South Beach Diet are all based on the idea of eating fewer carbohydrates. They all advise eating more protein and limited carbs and inducing the body to burn its own fat.

Low carb diet plans differ somewhat in the amount of carbohydrates they allow, but all advise cutting out all white or starchy foods. The most strict is the 20 gram per day carb limit of the initial stage of Atkins, plus some of the other diet plans. The 20 grams is generally derived from salads and non-starchy vegetables, plus the trace amounts of carbs in sauces, dressings and cheeses.

In the first stages of a low carbohydrate diet, dieters are not allowed to have any milk, fruits, grains, cereals, pasta, breads or “high glycemic index” vegetables such as potatoes, peas, corn and carrots. The missing carbs are replaced with ample amounts of protein.

This is a very low amount of carbohydrate when compared with the large amounts of pasta and grains advised by traditional low fat diet recommendations, so this diet has become quite controversial. Butter is also included, which is another reason for the controversy over low carbohydrate eating plans. The butter is recommended because fat slows down the absorption of carbohydrates into the body and helps to maintain an even blood sugar level.

The whole idea behind Dr. Atkins original principal is that it we gain weight in our Western world because our blood sugar levels are allowed to go too high by eating too much high starch food. Control the carbohydrate levels and you control weight much more easily. Much research has shown this to be true. Of course opposing research has been done too, so the controversy continues to some extent, although it is generally acknowledged by all now that the high carb recommendations of the past were incorrect.

The great difficulty of any severely restricted diet is that most people can end up regaining much of their lost weight because of difficulty adhering to the restrictions over the long-term. This can ultimately result in rebound weight gain and is the reason that the modified versions of Atkins diet have evolved.

The Atkins diet itself though, does gradually increase the amount of carbohydrates you consume as you complete your weight loss, to avoid the extremes of losing then regaining weight. Is it right for you?

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for example, if i where to keep up the low carb diet for about one month and then i start eating regular, will i gain more weight? or what are the “side effects” if i where to do this?

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With all low carbohydrate diets claiming success, it can be hard to start the correct low carbohydrate diet for you? Are all low carb diets alike? It can be overwhelming with all low carb diets, products and plans you see everywhere. Luckily, these diets have been analyzed extensively. We’ll get into all low carb diets – what works and what doesn’t.
First enjoy this delicious recipe that is ok for all low carb diets:
Yummy Fast Breakfast Recipe
Easy Mushroom-Zucchini Greek Omlette
2 eggs

2 Tbsp water

Dash of onion, cumin and/or garlic powders

1 tablespoon olive oil (or nonstick cooking spray)

1 cup diced, or chopped Zucchini squash

1/4 cup sliced white mushrooms

1/4 cup shredded cheese

Green Olives for garnish
Add oil to small skillet, (or spray with nonstick cooking spray) and heat over medium heat.
Saute zucchini and mushrooms for 7 minutes, or until tender. Lightly whip by hand eggs and water, add dash of onion, cumin and/or garlic powders. Pour egg/water mix into skillet.
When top is firm, sprinkle cheese onto half the omlette. Fold over other half. Serve each portion with Green Olives and sliced tomatoes.
Yields 4 servings

Total Net carbs: 3 grams per serving
Ok, Here are is the first review of the most well known of all the low carb diets: The Dr. Atkins Diet
Of all low carb diets, Atkins is probably one of the most popular there is. Most reviewers offer several reasons why Atkins is so attractive. The Atkins Diet can bring fast results. Atkins dieters notice a weight loss of eight to fourteen pounds within the early induction phase of the diet.
Also, most dieters like following the Atkins approach. Watching carb levels is all that’s required , and the foods you are allowed to eat with Atkins, like hamburgers, steaks, and rich foods are enjoyable to many people.
Negative comments, though, may include the fact that the body may respond poorly in the early days. You may feel overtired, stressed. Some may even have a headache.
Studies are still being evaluated, but many suggest that this diet lowers blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol and saturated fat levels, helping heart health.
Dr. Atkins believed that nearly all obesity is caused by overactive insulin production and not by overeating. He believed that overeating could be caused by carbohydrate addiction and that most overweight people actually ate less than their slim counterparts.
However, they crave and eat carbohydrate, which raises their insulin levels and suppresses fat burning. He also recommends the use of dietary supplements to help balance nutrition and the bodies systems.
The Atkins Diet has four stages: the Induction diet, the Ongoing Weight Loss diet, the Pre-Maintenance diet, and finally the Lifetime Maintenance diet. The Induction diet is very strict as far as carb elimination (20 grams or less per day), but generous in the allowance of fat and protein. Low starch vegetables are the recommended source of carbs.
This phase of the diet lasts 14 days and is followed by the Ongoing Weight Loss diet (OWL). The OWL phase allows for the reintroduction of certain good carbs but the levels are kept below 40 grams a day. Dieters stay on OWL until they reach their ideal weight.
Once the ideal weight is reached dieters transition into the Pre-Maintenance diet, where they experiment with reintroducing certain good carbs until they discover the total carb grams they can consume in a

day and still not gain weight.
Here is a tip for success with all low carb dieting:
Start your diet with a daily food diary, record everything you eat, what you were doing at the

time, and how you felt. That tells you about your temptations, the emotional states that cause you to snack and may help you lose once you see how much you eat. It is good to keep detailed records, in order to guarantee your success.
Often people go off low-carb diets, even those that help you lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks, because they lack good recipes. It’s too boring. Get good recipes!

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Low carb diets often seen in Atkins and Zone diets have been a popular choice among most weight watchers. There are explanations behind the low carb diets and why they have a role to play in weight loss.

The Insulin Factor

It all boils down to the simple theory that high carbohydrate foods when taken in excess cause you to gain weight. The reason is simple. High-carb foods when taken will cause your blood sugar to rise quickly. The body secrets a hormone called insulin which carries the extra sugar to the liver and muscles to be stored and any excess sugar are converted to fat. If the amount of carbohydrates intake is immediately converted to sugar, there is no problem with our blood sugar level as it is in a balance mode. On the other hand, if there is an over consumption of carbohydrates food, insulin is required to work harder and more will be produced and in time to come, the insulin becomes less responsive. This leads to diabetes and other health issues.

The Fat and Protein Factor

If we consume a low carbohydrate diet, the available carbs are easily used up so the body will turn to fat and even protein for the energy it needs when the carbs sources run out. This is the basis behind the Atkins diet that promotes a low carb diet but high protein and fat component. We are aware that a diet that is rich in protein has been commonly linked to bad cholesterols and heart related complications. However, there were interesting studies to show that low carbohydrate diets are more effective than low- fat diets though the calories count are the same.

Choose Complex Carbs

Let us review the types of carbohydrates that are available. We have the simple carbs such as sweets, fizzy drinks and white bread that get digested quickly and converted to energy for use in the body. Unlike simple carbs, the digestion and conversion of complex carbs such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables are slower and you don’t get that sugar spike followed by a sugar crash. Therefore it makes sense that unrefined carbs are naturally the best choices due to its high fiber content, its low calorie along with the many antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. In fact, the very low calorie content of these fruits and vegetables is enough to result in negative calorie expenditure for the body. Thus you will lose weight no doubt about it.

Low Calorie or Low Carbs

For weight watchers, if you think that all low carb fad diet is good, you better rethink. Low carb diet is good enough if you take a conscious effort to include whole natural foods such as fruits and organic vegetables in your diet instead of following a particular low carb fad diet blindly. For example, some low carb diet recommends an extreme low percentage of carbs to calories, for example 20 per cent of the total calories consumed. Even then the carbohydrates recommended should come strictly from non-starchy vegetables. In addition, there are some low carb diets that tell you to continue eating pasta, ice-cream and cookies due to their low calorie content but these are processed foods. There are concerns that these fad diets, if followed long-term, may lead to kidney, and other health complications.

Consuming a balanced and healthy mix of food combined with regular exercise is still the most effective and safe method to lose weight permanently. The results may be slow but you can still lose weight with discipline and determination.

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www.zeefitness.com low carb diet results plan menu recipes for weight loss low carb diets food list ideas low carb diet before and after low carb dieting low carb diet plans low carb diet success low carb diet recipes low carb diet side effects low carb diet bodybuilding…

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Low carb diets are mostly based on cutting the amount of carbs you eat and increasing the amount of proteins and fats. This diet helps your body to consume fat reserves that are already in your body. Low carb diets are still popular and while they may help the average individual lose weight, they aren’t for athletes.
Low carb diets are not only safe, but if followed properly, can be heart-healthy. Low carb diets have several good effects on cholesterol. Low carb diets are designed to prevent blood sugar levels from spiking and causing the overproduction of insulin a hormone that helps convert carbohydrates to body fat. The first carbohydrates you need to add back to your diet when you move beyond Induction are more vegetables, then seeds and nuts, then berries and then if you are still losing legumes and grains. Low carb diets are easy for people who enjoy meats and cheese, but it may be tough for a vegetarian to go on a low carb diet.
Low-carb dieters dropped an average of 26 pounds, compared to an average of 14 pounds shed by the low-fat group. The low-carb group had decreases in blood fat levels and increases in good cholesterol than their counterparts on a low-fat diet. Low-carb diets are very popular for their quick results.
Low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diets (such as the Atkins diet) have become very popular in recent years. These diets promise weight loss, weight maintenance, good health, and disease prevention. Low-carb dieters should also be aware that low-carbohydrate and low-calorie are not the same thing, just as low-fat and low-calorie are not synonymous. When something, like carbohydrates, is taken out of a product, (e.g., chips, ice cream or chocolate candy bars) other things are added to replace it.
Carbohydrates are not bad, only some of them are, and should be eaten in moderation. Finally, there is the personalized metabolic typing diet, which is using your body’s intuition to determine the best combination of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for your optimal health. Carbohydrates are found in almost any kind of food, even vegetables — not just bread and pasta. Carbohydrates including bread, pasta, rice, cereals, milk, most fruit and any sweets usually provide over half of people’s daily calories. On a low-carb diet, however, carbohydrates are limited or avoided, thus leading to a significant reduction in calorie intake.
Low-carbohydrate diets probably result in weight loss by forcing your body to burn fat for energy. The body would rather burn carbohydrates- either from blood sugar or stored carbohydrates in your liver and muscles. Low-carbohydrate diets are essentially very simple. By restricting carbohydrate intake, cravings for carbohydrates will over time subside, resulting in a lower food consumption and weight loss.

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Here is the first episode of a two part broadcast explaining why people seem to lose weight on low carbohydrate diets.

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There are a lot of misconceptions about low-carb diets. Almost every “anti-low carb” information or news report says the same thing: reduced-carb diets don’t have enough fruits and vegetables, and even often draw an image of people eating unhealthy diet.

The reality, low-carb diets concentrate on healthy food, nutritious, and research into reducing carbs continues to show more and more positive results.

Here are the misconceptions and the truths about low-carb diets to set your own mind at easiness and help you inform others.

1. Consuming Low Carb = Courting Heart Disease

In study after study, cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides, and other indications for heart disease risk decline on low-carb diets. Also, in one large long term study, even low-carb diets with a lot of animal protein and fat did not raise the risk of heart disease.

2. Eating Fruits and Vegetables not Allowed on Low-Carb Diets

People believe that fruits and vegetables are not allowed because they are mainly carbohydrate.

Actually, people who take a low carb diet almost all the time eat more fruits and vegetables than usual. Instead, non-starchy vegetables are actually comes at the bottom of the low carb pyramids.

3. Low-Carb Diets will Cause Kidneys Disease

The reason is that since people with kidney disease are typically encouraged to consume low protein diets, a diet that is higher in protein will raise kidney disease.

In fact, a low-carb diet is frequently not higher in protein than the latest suggested levels.

4. Low Carb means No Carb

Many people thought that a low carb diet must be extremely low in carbohydrates.

Not even a single expert endorses this. The fact, you should have at least 45% – 65% carbohydrate depending upon individual.

5. Dr Atkins Died of His Own Diet

Despite improperly obtained medical reports mis-reported by the vegetarian group “Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine”, Dr Atkins died from head injuries resulting from a fall. He was not fat when he died

6. Low-Carb Diets Have Insufficient Fiber

The reason is, because fiber is carbohydrate, a low-carb diet must be low in fiber.

In fact, a lot of low-carb foods are high in fiber, and on diets that encourage carb counting, fiber does not come into the calculation. Fiber remains undigested, so it is encouraged on low-carb diets.

7. Low-Carb Diets will Leach€All The Calcium from Your Bones

The reasoning goes that low-carb diets are always high in protein. People on higher protein diets are likely to have more calcium in their urine. But this turns out to be a red herring. This has been proven NOT to be true. In fact, it turns out that protein, rather than cause bone loss, actually protects our bones.

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