If you like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs and you’re looking to lose weight, a low-carb diet might be a diet for you. Just as the name implies, a low-carb diet reduces carbs, which lowers insulin levels, which prompts the body to burn stored fat for energy, which leads to weight loss.
Foods that are reduced or excluded in a low-carb diet include breads, fruits, most grains, legumes, nuts, pastas, starchy vegetables, and sweets. Did you know that a low-carb diet may help prevent or improve cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure?
Of course before starting any diet you should see your physician. And make sure to ask him or her how many carbs you should be consuming each day on a low-carb diet. You should also ask about risks associated with drastically and quickly cutting carbs from your diet. Some risks may include bad breath, constipation or diarrhea, headache, tiredness, and mineral and vitamin deficiencies. And some risks may depend on which low-carb diet you choose. If you doctor approves of a low-carb diet for you, he or she may steer clear of low-carb diets that severely restrict carbs. Some of these diets are less than 20 grams per day and can lead to a build-up of ketones in the body.