Low Carb Diets - The theory and controversy of low-carb diets
Low fat diets are slowly losing their popularity, while low-carb diets are at the moment of writing very popular. The theory of low-carb diet bases on severe limit of dietary sources of carbohydrates and theory that carbohydrates increase blood sugar and insulin levels and leading to weight gain. According to this theory lower blood sugar and insulin levels result in weight loss.
The results have show that it is possible to lose more weight with a low-carb diet than with low fat and low calorie diets at the beginning although there are no firm evidence that the reason for that are lower blood sugar and insulin levels. A typical low-carb diet extremely limits foods high in carbohydrates such as bead, pasta, beans, starchy vegetables and even fruits. Foods high in carbohydrates are replaced with foods higher in protein and fats: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products and green leafy vegetables. Most low-carb diets usually result in reduced daily calorie intake because they strictly limit the foods which are allowed to eat. However, foods high in saturated fats which fit the criteria of a typical low-carb diet and restriction of vegetables and fruits are the major points of criticism.
Low-carb diet may provide faster weight loss and certain health benefits such as lowering blood cholesterol levels (possibly) but it may not provide all the necessary nutrients. In addition long term health effects of low-carb diet remain unknown, while researches have shown that a low-carb diet is difficult to stick with to long term.