With the holidays coming up, you may be considering going on a diet to fit into that little black party dress. Going on a low carb diet may sound boring and bland, but believe it or not, there are plenty ways to keep it both delicious and interesting.
In a study comparing an Atkins-type diet with a reduced-calorie regime, Tufts University scientists reported that low-carb diets may impair cognitive performance. Since glucose is the brain's primary fuel, the need for it may not be met when restricting carbohydrates.
Granted, some people fare poorly when carbs are spared, and not just on cognitive tasks. Many also suffer mild to major anxiety or irritability, especially in the early (induction) stages of the diet.
Some folks are just built that way, and may need to increase carb intake slightly while dieting. Others endure the initial stress to reap immediate benefits.
Hands down, there is no faster way to lose weight, while improving metabolic health. The degree of discomfort depends largely on the choices you make.
It may take a while for the body to adjust to fat burning. Liver and muscle cells are quite capable of converting certain amino acids (i.e., glutamine, alanine, leucine) to sugar.
Also, the body has an enormous supply of energy stored as fat, which can be converted to sugar as well. However, the conversion from fat back to sugar is chemically slow, especially early on.
There are also foods and supplements that support this conversion and low-carb diets. Essentially, there is a right way and a wrong way.
Most people would benefit from consulting a naturopath, nutritionist or physical trainer while undergoing weight loss. If you insist on doing it on your own, do it wisely.
It's not as simple as eating meat, eggs, and cheese. That's the mistaken notion most people have of the Atkins Diet.
Over time, Atkins changed his thinking on the ideal approach. It is a diet in progress.
Many other carb-restricted diets have played a part in this evolution, including the Zone, South Beach, and Protein Power plan. Some diets are technically low-carb, while others are more low-glycemic.
The latter restricts carbohydrate intake to foods that are slowly digested, while also incorporating this restriction. "Fast" ones spike insulin and stress the pancreas, which can lead to obesity and diabetes.
Sugar and its metabolites are also "sticky." They glom onto and destroy proteins and other biological molecules in blood, which slowly hardens the arteries, impairs circulation and accelerates aging.
Carbohydrates, especially refined ones, are also highly acid-forming in the body, which can eat away at bones if not balanced with alkaline foods. Indeed, sugar and starchy foods are the main culprits behind the epidemic of chronic illness in Western societies.
The best alternative is a high-protein diet. However, there are many issues with animal foods.
They can be high in unhealthy fats and toxins, especially if not organic. Those toxins get stored in human fat tissue after ingestion.
As the weight drops, toxins are released, which can damage brain cells, making it even more uncomfortable to lose weight. Perhaps some of the cognitive impairment seen with rapid weight loss may be due to nerve damage.
Animal foods are also highly acid forming, and could affect bone health. So, make your meat portions small and organic, and fill the rest of the plate with greens.
It is best not to add carbohydrates to such a meal, as they do not digest well when combined with high protein foods (except for berries), and the meal becomes doubly acidic. Generally, eat fruit separately from other foods, and choose less sweet or starchy varieties.
Also, eat the whole fruit, not juice, which is a concentrated nutrition. Nevertheless, small amounts of pomegranate, goji, acai, or other antioxidant-rich juices or beverages are quite acceptable.
To improve digestion, drink them about 30 minutes before mealtime to help neutralize free radicals generated from eating a big meal. Those who need extra carbohydrates should not resort to refined, processed foods.
Make moderate allowances for good kinds, by choosing berries, apples (with skin), yams (with skin), beans, barley, brown rice and whole grains. Some of these foods are loaded with potassium, which counteracts the acidity of carbohydrate and protein foods.
As you can see, these do not have to be boring. There a plenty of delicious varieties to choose from, while losing weight at the same time.
Author Resource:-
Tom Selwick has worked the past 21 years in the food storage industry. He suggests buyingfood storage from a quality company so you know your food will last.
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