Carb Conundrum - Low Carbs Diets

Low Carbs Diets

There are so many different low carbs diets out there to choose from, it can be hard to decipher which one is right for you. The basic concept behind most low carbs diets is to cut carbs, but some cut them more drastically than others. The most important thing to keep in mind is how each of these low carbs diets will effect your health.

Get the Facts

The main thing to consider when you're considering low carbs diets is that your body needs 130 grams a day. Most of us eat far more than that, so cutting down to 130 grams a day is a low carb diet in and of itself! At least it's safe and free of side effects.

Most other low carbs diets cut you down to 20 grams of carbs a day for the first two weeks, then anywhere from 40-60 after that. In addition, most limit your intake of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Cutting these foods out means your cutting out some extra added protection against cancer. It also means that you could find yourself constipated. To avoid all this, you'll need to take supplements, but that's not as good as getting the nutrients through food. Fruits and vegetables have macronutrients that just can't be found in a supplement.

In addition, since milk has 11 grams of carbs per cup, most people on low carb diets avoid it. This means you're losing a lot of calcium you need for strong, healthy bones. Of course, there's a low carb milk called Carb Countdown that only has 3 grams of carbs per cup (5 grams if you get the chocolate version). These products are a great substitute for regular milk. And of course, calcium supplements are helpful here as well.

The best way to lose weight is to avoid the things you know are bad--greasy foods, foods made with refined sugar or corn syrup, foods made with white flour and white rice.