Low Carb Diet Plans - Healthy or Not?

There are lots of conflicting reports about low carb diet plans. While there's certainly no doubt that they can work, many health care professionals are concerned that they may not be the healthiest way to lose weight. Low carb diets limit the carbohydrate intake of the dieter and replace them with foods that have a higher protein and fat content. Many low carb diets are designed to be ketogenic, meaning that they cause ketosis, which is when the body burns fat for energy instead of the sugars created by carbohydrates.

Arguments on both sides of the aisle cite conflicting evidence on how healthy low carb diets are. They do result in weight loss, but most of the results are not long term since in many cases, once carbohydrates are reintroduced, the body rebounds and gains weight very quickly. However, supporters suggest that we eat too many carbs as a society, and that a diet low in carbohydrates is "normal." Regardless of the differences of opinion, there are some facts about low carb diets that you should be aware of when considering these weight loss programs:

Water weight loss - Much of the initial weight lost on a low carb diet is water weight. Since our bodies are made of mostly water, this can be a substantial amount of weight lost. However, your body requires a certain amount of water to function properly, and this drop in weight, while thrilling at first, is not permanent.
Veggies and fruits - The main issue many health care professionals have with low car diet plans is that many do not distinguish between simple and complex carbohydrates. Because of this, many fruits and vegetables are not included in low carb diets because they are high in complex carbs. These carbohydrates are actually good for you, promote a healthy weight, and contain nutrients necessary for a healthy body.
Exercise - Oftentimes low carb diet plans boast that the dieter does not have to exercise, which is a selling point for many people who have a distaste for physical activity. However, many low carb diets do not recommend exercising because of the fluctuation this can cause in blood sugar levels, which can cause extreme fatigue and illness.
Vitamins - Many low carb diets require people to take an array of vitamins. This goes back to the fact that many low carb diets cut out many fruits and vegetables, which are major sources of nutrients for your body.

Before you begin a low carb diet, or any weight loss plan, it is important to speak with your health care provider. People with some health conditions, like diabetes, can experience complications from low carb diet plans. Your doctor will be able to give you dieting tips for a low carb diet, or recommend a better weight loss solution to help you meet your goals.