Low Carbs Diet to Lose Weight

Carbs or carbohydrates are very popular terms for people with weight problems. Carbs intake plays a very important role in weight issues for most people. Carbohydrates are the basic components of food which are transformed by the body into blood sugar. Taking carbs in moderation and following a low carbs diet is one way to lose weight.

Here are some tips for a low carbs diet to lose weight.

Know the carbs requirements that you need. Each person have different amount of carbs needed based on their age, height and other factors. Of course it is also best to consult your doctor to know your medical condition before trying any weight loss program.

Carbohydrates are needed by the body to keep us energetic. Low carbs diet doesn’t mean starving yourself and not taking carbohydrates at all. Not all carbs are fattening and you should know about good and bad carbohydrates. Bad carbs usually came from processed foods like candy, potato chips, cookies and soft drinks which have no nutritional value and will only give you excess calories. Good carbs are high in fiber, rich in nutrients and vitamins. Foods which are still in their natural state and unprocessed are the source of good carbs like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

Make a list and diary of the food you eat. Familiarize yourself with the carbohydrates count of every food that you eat. Keep a diary of your carbohydrate intake and your daily weight. Monitoring your progress and your carbs intake is important to know the effectiveness of your low carbs diet. Making a list will also help you identify the diet that works for you.

Low carbs diet can help you lose weight if you stick with it. Losing weight doesn’t happen overnight but with the right program to lose weight you will attain your goal.

Changing the type of food that you eat, getting the right exercises and getting into the correct weight loss programs are some factors affecting weight loss. Low carbs diet is one weight loss program that you can try but if you find it too strict and hard to follow then you might be interested to learn about the 10 idiot proof rules of dieting and fat loss.

Atkins Diet - Eat Well Lose Weight?

Now there is a diet that will help you in losing weight with a promise of never being hungry. Sounds impossible right? No, it is not because of a new diet revolution called the Atkins diet.

The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate diet that was formulated by Dr. Robert Atkins. It is also known as Atkins and Atkins Nutritional Approach. Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution along with other series of books was authored by Dr. Atkins to discuss his concepts and ideas on the diet. Some of the health benefits are better memory and heart functions to name a few.

Dr. Robert Atkins formulated the Atkins diet to solve his own overweight problem. Based on a theory, overweight people ingest more carbohydrates. Since carbohydrates and fat are utilized for energy and carbohydrates are burned first, eating lesser carbohydrates means that body fat is burned in its stead.

The Atkins diet, even though has many success stories for losing weight is primarily for preventing disease, good health and maintaining weight. Further, it has four phases. The first phase is the induction phase wherein you are restricted to having only 20 grams of carbohydrates in a day. Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks and beverages are prohibited in this phase and mostly 4 ounces of meat, cheeses, 3 tablespoons of cream, 2 cups salad vegetables and 1 cup low carbohydrate vegetables is allowed. It has been reported that weight loss often occur at this stage.

The second phase of the Atkins diet is the ongoing weight loss (OWL) phase wherein 5 grams of carbohydrates is added every week to find the critical amount of carbohydrate intake that is essential for losing weight. If 4.5 kilograms or 10 pounds is reached within the target weight then the OWL phase stops.

Pre-maintenance is the phase succeeding the OWL phase where there is an increase in carbohydrate intake so that the amount of carbohydrate intake for maintaining weight is found.

The last phase of the Atkins diet is the lifetime phase. Under this phase, it is assumed that the habits achieved throughout the other phases are maintained so that you will not go back to pre-Atkins habits and weight. This phase values unprocessed food and it is a choice to go back to earlier stages if weight gain is experienced.

There are some people who are for or against the Atkins diet. It is important to see their views before embarking on the diet regimen right away.

Anti-Atkins

• Atkins is connected with renal disease, heart disease, colon cancer and osteoporosis.
• Since it is a protein diet (mostly meat products) it is not vegetarian-friendly.
• It is a diet low in fiber but high in cholesterol and saturated fats.
• Calcium, potassium and magnesium are below the recommended daily values for the body.

Pro-Atkins

• Fat and protein can be taken in.
• There is weight loss (steady and rapid).
• Appetite is reduced.
• Sugars and processed grains taken in are lessened.
• Atkins diet is a life-time diet plan.
• You can never be hungry with this diet plan. The popliarity of the Atkins diet was during the years 2003 and 2004.

Statistics also showed that for every 11 adults, 1 was on the Atkins diet in the peak of its popularity. But with Atkins gaining popularity, sales of carbohydrates-heavy products declined tremendously. Soft drink companies even tried their hand in low-carbohydrate products to keep up with the trend. But when Dr. Robert Atkins had a fatal injury in the head which also lead to his death in 2003, rumors circulated that he suffered from a heart condition that was caused by his weight. In the year 2005, the company Atkins Nutritional filed for bankruptcy because of poor sales.