Weight loss is something that everyone is, has been, or will be interested in at some point in their lives. Whether it is for health or appearance, a healthy diet and exercise regimen will help people achieve a sound mind and body.
The low-carb diet has been considered the solution to weight problems. Dr. Atkins was among the first to develop the high-protein diet which is inherently low in carbohydrates. He based his plan around the concept that carbohydrates, if not burned off through exercise, will become fat. It was the logical evolution of thought to lower the carbohydrate intake and supplement it with higher protein intake. This is a particularly effective diet for rapid weight loss. Of course, there are down sides to take into consideration before attempting the Atkins weight loss program. Recent science has proven that following the diet long-term can be detrimental to the liver as well as increase the likelihood of kidney stones. Studies have also shown that excess weight tends to come back once people go off the plan.
Dr. Barry Sears decided to take a slightly different approach to dieting. After evaluating the Atkins diet, he found that decreasing the carbohydrate intake was a good idea- to a degree. In the Zone diet, designed originally for people suffering from diabetes, Dr. Sears allows a slightly higher amount of carbohydrates and distinguishes between simple and complex carbohydrates. By consuming simple carbohydrates which are easier for the body to break down to use as energy, the body burns off carbohydrates faster and feels less need to consume more calories in general. And since simple carbs are found predominantly in fruits, the body can consume more to help the body feel full which works to eliminate binge eating.
The low-carb craze is coming to end as more and more people are discovering that an active body needs carbohydrates in higher levels than most of these diets allow. However, all of these weight loss plans provide one particular common positive impact on Americans- thinking about what we put in our bodies. These diets show us a new way to evaluate how we look at food and what we put in our bodies. By teaching us not to look to pills or shakes for help, they give us the building blocks to live healthier lifestyles and make nutritional choices for ourselves, low-carb or otherwise.
