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Carbohydrate-limiting diets are food regimens that supposedly help people to lose weight and keep it off through eating a diet that is high in protein and low in fruits, vegetables, grains and other foods. However, experts stress that these diets are not successful over the long run and are more likely to cause harm than to achieve good.
New fad diets emerge occasionally that promise to help even the most frustrated dieter shed weight. In recent years, these diets have focused on eating a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. In general, the body gets calories (energy) from three nutrients – protein, fats and carbohydrates. The latter two nutrients provide most of the calories in the average person’s diet.
Proponents of the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets sometimes suggest that eating such foods prevents weight gain because of both lower calorie intake, and because the protein in the foods goes straight to a person’s muscles rather than turning to fat.
However, these claims contradict traditional nutritional knowledge. The body requires a certain number of calories to function properly. While excessive intake of calories does cause weight gain, any type of calorie in excess can be the cause. Most experts urge people to cut back their calorie intake by eating a well-balanced diet rather than by dramatically shifting their diet away from a whole nutrient group such as carbohydrates. In addition, carbohydrates contain many nutrients that are essential to good overall health, such as vitamins, minerals and fiber.
While high-protein diets help some people lose weight in the short-term, maintaining weight loss with this type of diet has not been successful for most people. In addition, high-protein diets present certain health risks.
Most experts continue to recommend a diet high in the right types of carbohydrates (e.g,, whole grains, fruits, vegetables) and low in high-fat foods (including high protein foods such as red meat and cheese) as the best way to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of certain chronic illnesses.
People who want to lose weight are urged to remember that the best way to lose weight, maintain weight loss and remain healthy is to eat a well-balanced diet and to expend more calories through exercise and physical activity than is taken in through eating. |
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