The Low Carb Craze is Crazy

Even with the popularity of low carb diets on the decline, many people continue to use them. These diets may initially shed some pounds but they are unhealthy, severely limit your food selection and take away your body's main source of energy.

Foods that contain carbohydrates range from fruits and vegetables (which are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants) to candy and soda (which contain nothing but sugar). Cutting all carbohydrates out of your diet can leave you vulnerable to many diseases that may be prevented by eating fruits and vegetables.

Removing all carbohydrates from your diet will also restrict what kinds of food you can eat. Food can be classified in many different ways and one of them is fat (ex: dairy), carbohydrate (bread), or protein (meat) foods. Cutting one of these out won't leave you with too much to choose from. Unless you enjoy eating a lot of meat and dairy without bread, rice or pasta, low carb diets may not be for you.

Our body can use any of the macronutrients for energy. It likes to use protein for rebuilding damaged tissue, and also likes carbohydrates or sugars better than fats for energy. Not eating any carbohydrates can leave you tired throughout the day.

There are two main reasons why these diets seem like they work. When we eat any form of carbohydrate, our body stores some (along with a lot of water) for when we need them later. As we stop eating the carbs, we use up our stores (and the water goes with them). That is why you will lose a lot of weight initially. Also, removing carbs is going to reduce the number of calories you consume each day. You can do that with fat and protein and get the same result.

There are certain carbs that we can do without, mainly the ones found in candy and sodas that give us no vitamins or minerals. We can't do without the carbs that are rich in them. Not all carbs are bad but not all of them are good.

Guide to Carbohydrates

Health, Exercise and Dieting - Straighthealth.com