The Basics

All food consumed by humans can be divided into three major groups: proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are basically sugars and starch – here are some examples of foods that are high in carbohydrate:

• grains (e.g. wheat, rice) and grain-based products (e.g. bread, cereals, pasta)
• sweets and products with high levels of added sugar (e.g. cakes, chocolate, fizzy drinks)
• potatoes, starchy root vegetables (e.g. carrots, parsnips), starchy fruit (e.g. bananas)
• sweet fruit (e.g. oranges, grapes, apples) and fruit juices

Low-carbohydrate diets restrict the amount of calories you would get from these foods. You would not have to cut them out completely, but it is likely that you will consume less of them than you would on a low-fat diet or a generic calorie-restricted diet. The amount of protein and fat consumed on a low-carb diet will probably be higher than that on a standard diet.

So how does it work?

Carbohydrates are usually processed by your body as a source of energy, and can also get stored as fat if not used up. Restricting carbohydrates consumption makes your body switch into a different metabolic state called ketosis, where your body starts using up fat for energy. There is also an additional metabolic advantage, as your body needs to use up extra calories to process high amounts of protein. Finally, eating a lot of protein helps you feel full for longer, thus making it easy to consume fewer calories overall.

Is this type of diet right for me?

Low-carb diet could be a good solution if any of the points below apply to you:

• You tend to get hungry often throughout the day, sometimes shortly after having a meal
• You often feel tired and sluggish after having a big meal
• You often experience bloating and indigestion
• You don’t have the time or the inclination to count calories or points
• You enjoy eating meat, fish, chicken, cheese, eggs and other foods high in protein
• You tried other types of diets but failed to lose weight

Benefits

First of all, low-carb diets really do work. If you do it properly and stick your chosen diet plan, you will lose weight, and most likely will find it happening easier and faster than on a standard diet. You will not end up feeling hungry all the time, as can be the case on a low-fat or calorie-restricted diet. In addition, many people also report an improvement in their digestion, overall health and wellbeing.

Health issues

It has been claimed that low-carb diets can be dangerous for health, however, there is no solid evidence to back up this view. Low-carb diets have been around since 1970s (the original Dr Atkins diet), and enabled millions of people around the world to lose weight and actually improve their health. Providing you follow a proper low-carb diet plan, there should be no detrimental effect on your health, and you may even find some health advantages – some people have reported better digestion, lower cholesterol and reduction in allergies. If you suffer from any sort of medical condition, or are worried about health consequences for any reason whatsoever, please consult with your GP before staring a low-carb diet. If you are worried about getting the full spectrum of nutrients, you might also consider taking a multivitamin supplement.

Disadvantages

You might find the diet a bit boring and monotonous, and will crave carbohydrate foods initially. However, cravings usually subside after several weeks on the diet. Your grocery bills will probably increase a bit, as protein-based foods such as meat and fish tend to be more expensive than carbohydrate-based food, such as bread and pasta. Finally, if you are a vegetarian, you might find it more difficult to follow a low-carb diet plan.