Several diet programs work on the premise that if you severely cut back carbohydrates from your diet, your body will be forced to use fat stores instead. Carbs, especially refined carbs like sugar and flour, spike the blood sugar. You don't count calories but just the carbohydrates in the food. This spike signals the body to produce a spike of insulin in return. Insulin transfers the sugar to the body as energy. If the body doesn't need the energy at the moment it is stored as fat. Since the insulin has gotten rid of the sugar, the lack of sugar in the blood stream signals the brain it's required and you're hungry.
Protein, fats, and some natural carbohydrates found in vegetables don't spike the blood sugar, so the vicious cycle isn't started. Maintaining even blood sugar level makes it easier to lose weight.
Protein, fats, and some natural carbohydrates found in vegetables don't spike the blood sugar, so the vicious cycle isn't started. Maintaining even blood sugar level makes it easier to lose weight.
South Beach Diet and Atkins are two of the most well known of these low carb programs. The South Beach Diet is more lenient as far as the variety of foods allowed.
Both start off with a two week kick off period that consists of eating mostly proteins supplemented by no more than 20 grams of carbs a day. A banana has 26 carbs, a slice of white bread 15, chicken 0, fats and oils 0. Fruit, sweets, breads, and quite a few vegetables are not allowed on low carb programs.
Both start off with a two week kick off period that consists of eating mostly proteins supplemented by no more than 20 grams of carbs a day. A banana has 26 carbs, a slice of white bread 15, chicken 0, fats and oils 0. Fruit, sweets, breads, and quite a few vegetables are not allowed on low carb programs.
After the initial kick off the dieter can slowly add back foods higher in carbs focusing on those that don't spike your blood sugar. The program is life long and encourages you to limit carbs, especially sugar and flour for life.
The advantages of the low carb program is that there are few limits to the amount of low carb foods you can eat. Theoretically as much chicken, fish, beef, and cheese is allowed. Most people don't get hungry on a low carb program because calories aren't restricted.
One disadvantage is that variety of foods is restricted, so you may not get hungry but you might get bored. There may be a tendency for some people to increase their cholesterol levels while on the program if they consume too much fat or oils. Another disadvantage is the program must be followed strictly. If you do go off the program for a special occasion, it takes several days for your body to get back to the fat burning stage.
The advantages of the low carb program is that there are few limits to the amount of low carb foods you can eat. Theoretically as much chicken, fish, beef, and cheese is allowed. Most people don't get hungry on a low carb program because calories aren't restricted.
One disadvantage is that variety of foods is restricted, so you may not get hungry but you might get bored. There may be a tendency for some people to increase their cholesterol levels while on the program if they consume too much fat or oils. Another disadvantage is the program must be followed strictly. If you do go off the program for a special occasion, it takes several days for your body to get back to the fat burning stage.
I have seen so many people around me succeed with this low carb program. The most important thing about this program is self discipline. If you are able to discipline your self, you can get the result as short as 3 months.
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