Weight loss if a very popular topic today, because obesity has become a real problem in our modern society, and people are trying to take as much as possible action against it. Some people are just trying to be fit and look good, but other people are also becoming concerned about the health risks that obesity brings along. The key ingredients in losing weight are food dieting and exercise. Going on a food diet, does not mean that you get to starve everyday in order to lose weight, but it’s a very important balance of the two factors mentioned above. Speaking of diets, there are lots of them, and it’s very important to choose the right one for you. In this case, a nutritionist can be of a real help for you, so you should never hesitate to contact one.
You have probably heard about the low-carb diet, but what benefits does it get you, and in which case you should go on one? Stay tuned and let’s find out!
What is a low-carb diet?
A low-carb diet mainly consists of eating foods that are low in carbohydrates, such as eggs, meat, fish, vegetables (excluding potates, beans, etc.), nuts and seeds, and natural fats. The things that should be avoided when following such diet, are sugar and sweets, starchy meals such as pasta, bread or rice, processed foods, trans fats, dairy foods and so on.
Carbohydrates are needed by your body. For example, they are used to fuel your brain and the nervous system, but also your muscles. If you are a sedentary person, you do not need as much carbs as a sportive person does, and you can reduce their quantity in order to lose weight. A low-carb diet pretty much works like any other low-calorie diets, one of the main differences between them being that the low-calorie diet limits the amount of food you eat, and the low-carb diet limits the amount of carbohydrates that you eat. A low-carb diet will not only make you want less calories (basically reducing your hunger), but will also make a change in your metabolism, because before, your body was using mainly as a source of energy glucose, and you you are basically switching that to fat. Depending on your body type and metabolism, it will take some time before you can tune in with your new low-carb diet, and the amount of weight lost in the first weeks can differ from person to person, so you will need to be persistent – don’t worry, results will appear really soon!
Moderation is the key
In life, everything should be done and taken moderately, and you should apply the same principle with this diet. Going on a low-carb died, means to reduce their quantity in your meals, and not exclude them entirely, because no carbs or not enough carbs can have negative effects on your body and metabolism. Not getting enough carbohydrates can lead to dehydration and an imbalance of the elements in your blood, constipation, fatigue and lack of energy, headaches, hypoglycemia (meaning low sugar levels in your blood, which will cause you to be weak, dizzy, sleepy), it will also make you hungry, and ironically, not getting enough carbs will not help you lose weight, so it’s important to keep a good balance with the carbohydrates.
Getting too much carbs will obviously have negative impacts on your body. The most obvious one is that you will gain weight, because foods rich in carbohydrates, are also rich in calories. Calories aren’t necessarily bad for you, because as you probably know already, you need a daily dose of calorie intake in order for your body to function properly. The problem is when you exceed that dose of calories that you need per one day, because the body cannot burn them quickly enough and then they will get deposited in your body as fat. It’s good to know that the daily dose of calorie intake differs from person to person, depending on their body type, metabolism, type of life (sedentary, active), and so on. To know best what is your daily calorie threshold, we recommend you that you consult with a certified nutritionist, since nobody can help you better than them in this case. Having too many carbs will also most likely cause you digestive problems, which can lead to diarrhea, and if you don’t drink enough water it will make you constipated. Moreover, in big quantities it will make your blood sugar levels skyrocket, and your body will try to compensate and produce hormones to lower the sugar levels to normal, and most likely your body will overcompensate and will cause a sugar “crash”, which will make you sleepy and leave you with no energy.
Keep in mind that as mentioned above, always take things with moderation. When going on a low-carb diet, there are foods that you should avoid and foods that are recommended/allowed. Regarding to recommended/allowed food in this diet, always take it with moderation too, because this is not an excuse or permission to eat plenty of it, because doing so, you are taking too many calories on board and it will make you gain weight. Also, it’s not an excuse for skipping physical exercise. As many certified nutritionists say, it is very important to keep a good balance between diet and exercise.
Diets are not magic
The amount of weight lost using this diet, can vary from person to person, because there are many factors that can influence the desired result. Using such diet, might not give you jaw-dropping results overnight, but its a healthy and sure way to lose weight. Depending on how motivated and devoted you are to this journey, and how serious you will take your diet plus balancing it with the right daily physical exercise, is how satisfied you will be with the end “product”.
Remember that before starting a low carbohydrate diet, it is highly recommended to consult a certified nutritionist, in order to see if it is safe for you, and to guide you through this journey.
