In recent years, more and more people have decided to go on some form of a low carbohydrate diet because they can eat a lot of favorite foods without sacrificing weight loss. The best low carb diet will be able to help you lose weight, but it can also help with many other health issues and provide you with more energy. The key is to find the plan that will work for you.
Let’s look at some of the possibilities to help you choose.
Most Famous: The Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet was developed in 1972, and is a direct result of a book written by Dr. Robert Atkins, entitled Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution. Many people consider this to be the beginning of the low carbohydrate craze although it was not the first low carb plan. It is still closely followed by a large number of people around the world.
At the core of this eating plan is the theory that you should reduce your carbohydrate intake to 20 grams during the first two week period of the diet. This means you have to weigh and measure all your food and calculate how many grams of pure net carbohydrate are in everything. After the first two weeks you can gradually increase your carb intake, though at no time are processed sugars and refined grains such as white bread, pasta, or traditional breakfast cereals allowed. (See low carb breakfast choices here.)
The first two weeks of the diet (the induction phase) are unusually harsh, and some people suffer from sugar withdrawals during this period of time, but after that they find it is actually quite helpful when it comes to achieving weight loss – if they can stick to it. Weighing and calculating for every meal becomes old fast!
What many people really like about this way of eating is that it allows them to eat a virtually unlimited amount of fish, certain dairy products, fats, and meat. However, this is true of other low carb programs too. Atkins is complicated, and it’s not the only option.
The South Beach Diet
The South Beach diet has been around for more than 20 years, and was based on a program developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston. There are now a number of foods in your local grocery store that are designed specifically to fit this diet, which is very similar to the Atkins plan.
The South Beach diet is more traditional in the way in which it counts portions of food rather than grams of food. However it still requires a lot of research and monitoring on your part, and it limits healthy fat intake, which means that the food is not so satisfying. This can lead to cravings and overeating.
Is There A Better Low Carb Diet?
It may surprise you to find out just how many low carb plans there are. One of the reasons for this is because so many people are now eating almost entirely processed foods, combining fats with a lot of sugar, salt and low quality carbohydrates. A low carbohydrate diet can turn things around fast, helping you lose weight quickly without getting hungry as you would on a low fat diet.
One of the newest plans that is currently becoming very popular is Jonny Bowden’s Metabolic Factor. All of these plans work in much the same way, restricting carbohydrate intake so that the body goes into what is known as a fat burning mode. When this occurs, not only will you have an easier time burning fat, but you will also lose weight much quicker.
I lost weight with Atkins a few years ago but I soon found all the calculating and record-keeping was too much, and I gained that weight back and more. Recently I’ve lost weight with Jonny Bowden’s programs and I’ve found them much easier. I’ve kept the weight off, too.
The best low carb diet for you will be one that you can stick to in the long run, keeping in mind any particular health issues you may have as well as your weight loss goals. This is where the Metabolic Factor scores high. It’s very easy to stick to because there is no weighing, measuring or calculating net carbs, and you can even have carb feasts.
Just be sure to join the program on the official website (see link below) because it’s a lot more than just a book. There are several different parts to it and you need them all.
I don’t even know what I weight. I don’t dare get on the scale. This is probably the only type of diet I didn’t try yet. I just read where it makes you less hungry. Hope that is true and I will give it a try.
Hi J.K., it is certainly true in my experience. Have a browse around the internet, you’ll find lots of support and tips, including on this site of course!
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who was doing a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the (low carb) meal!!
But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this matter here on your blog.