Top Ten Questions to Irritate a Low-Carb Dieter

Actually, "low-carbing" is a way of life, not a diet. A low-carbohydrate diet is a four step plan to help you lose weight, control sugar cravings and learn how to eliminate processed foods from your diet. There are quite a few message boards and informational web sites out there where you can interact with others on this plan. Some of the most popular threads of messages have to do with the low-carber being asked irritating questions by family, friends and complete strangers!

10) Are you really sitting around eating bacon all day?

Absolutely not. Bacon is allowed, but it is high in fat and many brands have nitrates. Bacon should be limited, but a strip or two with your eggs is okay.

9) Eating all that fat will just make you fatter, right?

Absolutely not. When you consume fat, your body will begin to burn it as fuel. The problem comes when you also keep your carbohydrate intake high- then your body will burn the carbs and just store the fat.

8) You can never have a beer again, right? Or just that low-carb brand?

Not true at all. It is recommended you skip all alcohol while in the initial Induction stage, which lasts two weeks if you are following an established plan like Atkins. The reason is your body burns alcohol first as a fuel source, followed by carbs/sugars, dietary fat and then body fat. You won't kick off your weight loss if your body is mainly running on your beer or wine.

7) Low-carbing puts you into that dangerous "ketosis" state, doesn't it?

It does put you into "ketosis," but that's not dangerous. You are thinking of "ketoacidosis," which affects people with diabetes. Compare these definitions from www.lowcarbfriends.com:

Ketosis: term used when your body cannot fully metabolize fat due to a lack of carbohydrates in your system. The unused portions of the fat cells are called ketones, and are removed from the body in the urine. Ketosis is a signal that you are breaking down the fat in your fat cells.

Ketoacidosis: is a serious condition that can lead to diabetic coma (passing out for a long time) or even death. Ketoacidosis may happen to people with type 1 diabetes. Ketoacidosis occurs rarely in people with type 2 diabetes. Ketocidosis means dangerously high levels of ketones. Ketones are acids that build up in the blood. They appear in the urine when your body doesn't have enough insulin. Ketones can poison the body. They are a warning sign that your diabetes is out of control or that you are getting sick.

6) Low-carbers don't eat vegetables or get any fiber, do they?

Yes, they eat vegetables, many on a low-carb plan consume more vegetables than they had in the past. This is because the craving for sweets is diminishing and veggies start to taste better. Plus, on this plan you are allowed to spice up your veggies with butter, mayo or sour cream, many of the condiments that must be excluded on a low fat diet. As your weight loss progresses, you add whole grains and some fruits back into your diet.

5) Low-carbers can't ever eat out in restaurants or go to parties, right?

Wrong! Many restaurants now offer low-carb entrees, and if they don't, it's still easy to convert a standard meal. Ask the waiter to hold the bread and potatoes. Ask for an olive and celery tray instead of bread-maybe with some rich Blue Cheese dressing. At parties, stick to the meats, veggies, salads (without sugar) deviled eggs, wings, and cheeses. Enjoy the sauteed mushrooms! Served fried chicken? Just toss the skin and enjoy. If you are really worried, have a snack before leaving the house.

4) How can you live your whole life without desserts?

You don't have to. Once you're through with the initial weight loss stages, there are many sugar free and flour-less recipes to be tried. Cheesecakes, custards, jellos, all sorts of cakes based on almond or flax instead of white flour. Splenda and sugar-free syrups can sweeten your coffee and low-carb desserts.

3) You are supporting the junk food industry buying that sugar-free candy, don't you think?

Yes. And most advice will tell you to avoid sugar-free candy and cookies which contains sugar-alcohols and can keep you in the bathroom all night long. One of the key concepts of this eating plan is to eliminate processed foods, even the sugar-free ones.

2) Won't your cholesterol shoot through the roof eating all those eggs?

No. Presuming you're healthy when you start out, and all dieters are recommended to see their doctor prior to starting, you should see improvements in your cholesterol levels (good and bad), triglyceride levels, blood pressure and skin condition. Visit the message boards online to see real blood test results of real low-carbers!

And the #1 Irritating Question Heard by Low-Carbers:

1) Isn't it impossible to stick to that kind of plan for life? Won't you quit in a month?

It's easy for most folks! The biggest reason is that most experience no hunger pangs. When you consume foods with fats, that "stick to your ribs," you feel full longer. This is the single biggest advantage of choosing a low-carb versus a low-fat diet. You don't feel deprived, and it just may become your new way of eating.