Is a Low Carb Diet Really the Best Diet for Weightloss?

Is a Low-Carb diet really the easiest way to lose weight? Is it healthy?

A low-carb diet really is an easy way to lose weight. Easy in the sense that you WILL lose weight, and the results WILL be fast. A Low-carb diet is a diet that generally requires you to eat 20 or less carbohydrates per day. This is significantly less than your normal diet, if you are the regular sandwich and bagel eating American. You can actually kiss sandwiches and bagels good-bye if you decide to embark on this diet plan.. and cereal, yogurt, sweets, bread, pasta, fruits as well. Sound fun?

Well no, not really. But it does work. The reason that low-carb diets are so effective is because carbohydrates are the easiest source of energy for your body to break down and utilize. If you are not eating carbs, then your body will use protein and then fat as energy. The idea is that your body will end up using a lot more stored fat as energy, than if you were loading up on carbs. Simple enough, right?

But is it healthy? Well, you need to take your multivitamin since you will be eating little fruit, it at all. But since vegetables have few carbs (but a lot of fiber to help you feel full), you really should consume a great deal of them for your nutrition. I would not suggest that you eat bacon for breakfast everyday or a ton of cheeseburgers (bun-less, of course), just because they are low carb. Yes, you will be within your diet restrictions, but no, it is obviously not good for you. You can be healthy on a low carb diet if you still try to be nutritionally conscious. And I would also suggest that instead of trying to sneak in bread as your 20 carbs for the day, you eat fruit instead. Even if you take a multivitamin (and please, please do), whole foods are ALWAYS a better choice.

My problem with a really low carb diet is that it takes me from being happy and patient- into a super bitch. And I know I'm not the only one. Seriously, it does mess with your mood and energy levels. Since your body is having to work that much harder for your energy- it takes it's toll.

So if you need to lose a few pounds quickly or just want to jump start your weight loss. Then go ahead and try a really low carb diet for a week or two- then go back to eating a low fat, but nutritious diet. If you want, eat a low carb diet one week a month, just to give your diet a boost. I truly believe that results are the best motivation- and you will have positive results with a low carb diet. But I would not recommend keeping up a low carb diet for too long. It takes SO much will-power and it is highly restrictive. Highly restrictive diets end up not being very effective because generally people get sick of them and then go back to poor eating habits. Don't let that be you!

Thanks for reading and good luck with reaching your weight loss goals! I know you can do it!