Can You Handle a Low Carb Diet?

One of the most popular and debated diet plans out there is the low carb diet. You have those people who love and swear by it and others that can’t believe it’s not a heart attack waiting to happen. Unbelievable, but even the doctors aren’t in agreement. Some will recommend it while others totally advise against it.

Anyone who is thinking of a low carb diet has more than likely heard of Dr. Atkins. He is like the godfather of low carb diets. This type of plan takes you through phases where you start from very little or no carbohydrates and then increase thru each phase.

The first phase limits you to virtually no carbs but you’re allowed to eat all the meat you want. However, you can’t eat any bread, pasta, potatoes, sweets, or anything else containing carbs.

If you love your potatoes, bread and pasta like me, but can manage to refrain from them during this phase, you can expect to lose somewhere around 15 lbs (much of this will be water retention, but it still is weight).

This phase puts your body into a state of ketosis. This is where ketones are being expelled in the urine, which shows that your body's fat is now being used as its source of energy. You can actually check this with little test strips you can get at drugstores.

Each subsequent phase allows the addition of carbs includes some fruits and vegetables until you equal out. You are no longer losing and aren’t gaining.

I can tell you from personal experience that this diet is effective. My husband has lost many, many pounds on this program and still uses it for maintenance. He is eating steak, eggs, cheese, burgers (no bun or fries with that) and a large salad with his meals. He feels better and has more energy.

So, if you really want to lose weight in a hurry and you have great self-control, then this may be for you. However, if you like a wider variety of foods or you’re just not into all that meat, there are different versions of this basic concept. All it takes is an internet search for “Low Carb Diet.”

If you are really a meat lover and can live without bread, pasta, and sweets then this might be for you. If you eat like the plan states, you can pretty much guarantee you’ll lose weight. If you plan on staying on this diet for a long time, then I’d suggest seeing a doctor just to make sure everything’s going to plan.

Sound good but not sure if you can live without all the carbs, look around. There are many plans out there. You might be able to find one that fits your style a little more.