Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Myth or Fact: Low carb diets are good for your health

I'll answer this question right off the bat so there is no confusion... this is a MYTH. Diets low in carbohydrates are NOT... I repeat, NOT good for your health. There are many negative effects of going on a low-carbohydrate diet because it restricts many nutrient-dense foods and is ultimately an unhealthy long-term eating plan.

For one, a low carbohydrate diet will focus a lot on consuming high-protein foods and fats to substitute for the carbs that you are not eating. Some examples of these foods are steak, bacon, and butter. These foods are high in both saturated fat and cholesterol which are terrible for your heart due to the raised levels of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind of cholesterol) in your blood.

Another negative impact of a low-carb diet is that it is low in fiber. Americans are already used to diets that are too low in fiber and participating in a low-carb diet does not help this scarcity of fiber. Common sources of fiber are whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables - all carbohydrate-containing foods. Without a substantial amount of fiber in your diet, you may experience constipation or other gastrointestinal problems.

image source: proudtobeafilthyliberalscum.com
 
Since many low-carb diets cut out the carbohydrates consumed by eating fruits and vegetables, participants in this difficult diet are restricting their intake of vitamins A, C, and potassium. Since low-carb diets also frequently limit dairy product intake, many participants of this diet are also experiencing weaker bones due to their inadequate intake of calcium.

source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/400440-why-is-a-low-carb-diet-bad-for-your-health/

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