Low Carbohydrate Diets, Are They Good

For You?

By Dori Gallagher

Low Carbohydrate Diets

The Atkins diet Sugar busters The zone South beach

Overweight Population

Low Carbohydrate Craze Becoming big business Transforming store shelves Changing the way we look at food Restaurants even adding items to

menu

What Are Carbohydrates?

Main source of energy for the body

Complex biochemical structures

Serve vital functions to the human body

Thousands of repeating sugar units

Low Carbohydrate Foods Dense in nutrients Natural or unprocessed foods Higher in protein and fiber Take longer to digest Feel satisfied longer

High Carbohydrate Foods

Cause the blood sugar to surge then plummet

Create cravings for more carbohydrates Body burns the carbohydrates and

stores the fat High carbohydrate foods turn into fat

How Does The Diet Work?

Carbohydrates stimulate insulin production

Insulin is the hormone that stores fat

Low carbohydrate, means fat and protein are left

Protein and fat do not stimulate insulin

What Are The Critics Saying

Diet does not follow ADA dietary recommendations

Diet is unbalanced Restrict healthful foods Deprive essential nutrients

The Critics Comparison

Low Carbohydrate Diets

Help to recognize the nutritional value of food

Don’t feel deprived Don’t feel hungry Regulates insulin

secretion and blood sugar

People ARE losing weight

With the Proper Diet, You Can AchieveYour Goals