One of the most popular types of diets today are low carb diets. Low carb diets focus on carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are sugar- both simple and complex. Simple sugars are found in fruits, candy bars and some types of breads, complex carbohydrates are found within pastas, some types of bread and other foods and usually take longer to breakdown by our bodies.
The general idea behind low carb diets is that carbohydrates are largely the cause of fat creation, lack of energy and overall weight gain. For those looking to lose weight, low carb diets tend to promise dieters that eating less carbs can help them lose weight quickly and help keep their energy level high throughout the day. Low carb diets substitute carbs with other forms of food including protein and fat. One of the most popular low carb diets available that is currently followed is the Atkins Diet.
The Atkins Diet
For those on the Atkins Diet, you are asked to restrict the amount of carbohydrates in order for your body to change its metabolism from primarily burning glucose (which is sugar) to burning body fat that is already stored on your body. In order to burn body fat, your body must enter a state of ketosis; this is accomplished by running out of carbohydrates to burn and having your body switched to burning stored fat.
Low Carb Diets Suggest Eating Protein and Fat Instead of Carbs
On most low carb diets, the dieter is asked to switch to foods with high contents of protein and fat. Some foods such as bacon can be eaten and are even recommended in some diets. While eating bacon as part of a diet is not seen as conventional, low carb diets make it a point to mention that it is not fatty foods that are bad, but only certain types of fats such as trans fatty acids.
Low Carb Diets have shown promise for many people that have utilized it to lose weight. In fact, Atkins alone has become one of the most, if not the most popular diet today. While many people have seen great results using low carb diets, many find it difficult to be on this diet for more than a few months at a time due to the fact that carbs must be restricted indefinitely.
Another downside of low carb diets is that it can be quite inconvenient to be on. If you are person that enjoys bread, pasta and sweets, these items are strictly regulated when on a low carb diet. And since many foods with carbohydrates are easy to carry and store, it can be quite difficult to travel or eat at work without eating foods that only fit within your diet's plan.
