Pros and Cons of Low Carb Dieting
September 27, 2006 – 5:50 pmIf you are like most people you’ve thought about (or tried) a low carb diet at least once.
Today we’re going to take a look into the Atkins Diet which is basically a low carb diet and discuss the pros and cons of following it.
We’ll start with some pros:
1. Pretty easy to understand. Carbohydrates are basically the only thing you need to restrict.
2. You can still eat well, as long as you enjoy heavy cream, eggs, cheese, chicken, steak, and bacon/deli meats without nitrates.
3. If you follow the diet strictly, you can lose pounds relatively quickly.
Here are some cons:
1. Don’t be surprised to gain back most of the weight you lost once you begin eating normally again.
2. If you are buying foods from the Atkin’s line, this diet can get relatively pricey.
3. This diet is rich in cholesterol. Eating steaks, bacon, and eggs isn’t really “heart smart.”
4. Constipation is a “side effect” that you might encounter.
5. You give up rice, potatoes, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat breads and a host of other foods to “starve off the carbs.”
Here are some other thoughts:
1. As with any diet, your results are going to be better if you exercise. Getting lean and fit doesn’t happen through diet alone.
2. If you’re a vegetarian, I don’t believe there any modifications you can make to follow it.
3. Always consult your doctor before beginning any weight loss program 
4. What is a burger without a bun?
I’d love to hear your comments on the Atkin’s diet.
Have you followed the diet? Did it work for you?
5 Responses to “Pros and Cons of Low Carb Dieting”
The number one Con: eating steak 4 times a day is healthy for you
And “protein shakes” are somehow healthy food.
By Darren on Sep 28, 2006
So are desserts made of heavy cream. One tablespoon has 50 calories and is filled with fat. Crazy!
By Heather McLaughlin on Sep 29, 2006
The Atkins diet “worked” for me, as it will for anyone, to the extent that I lost weight. However, as suggested, I gained it back, and I certainly did not enjoy the process. Also, I am hypoglycemic, and from time to time need a quick hit of carbs to get my blood sugar back into a safe zone. So long term, Atkins was not going to work for me. Also, I have heard of some horror stories of the long term effects on the body’s chemistry when it has only proteins and fats to digest. I recall something about the production of “ketones”; as a former chemistry student, I found that frightening.
The plan that worked best for me was a modified plan where all or most of the carbs we “complex” rather than simple: sweet potatoes rather than white; brown rice rather than white; whole wheat pasta; oatmeal. Also, meat should be lean, and in reasonable portions.
Lastly, and I cannot stress this enough: little or no booze. Moving far away from the liquor store was the best weight loss activity I ever did! Lost 25 pounds or so, and 4 inches on the waste, and kept it off for a year so far.
Erik
By Erik on Oct 1, 2006
I personally couldn’t do a low-carb diet because I am so active. I tend to get crabby, light headed, and very weak-feeling if I don’t get enough carbs. I do limit my simple carbs, but I try to get plenty of complex carbs and most of my carbs do come from fruits and veggies, not sugar or flour.
By Spectra on Oct 2, 2006
Spectra~ I’ve heard that people get really bad breath when the ketones are gone, too.
This diet is a nightmare for a vegetarian. There’s no way we could eat like that.
Erik~ Congrats on your weight loss. You’ve got to be feeling a lot better and a lot lighter!
By Heather McLaughlin on Oct 2, 2006