The Low Carb Diet

One of the most common diet trends to surface our generation is the low carb diet. But what exactly is a low carb diet? Simply put, it is just what the name implies, an eating plan that consists of less than normal daily carbohydrate intake. Usually, around 50 grams of net carbs per day is considered the norm.

Some people believe that low carb diets are only fad diets and that they will eventually disappear. But contrary to popular belief, there is actually some science and logic to it. If people can follow this plan carefully and without cutting corners, low carb weight loss can be very beneficial to them.

Carbohydrates make up a good percentage of pretty much all of the food groups. If you check your food labels, except those that specifically promote 'low carb', you will see that many foods are heavily infused with carbs.

For this reason, it has become an excessive ingredient in our diets that tends to cause excessive weight gain for many of us.

With that said, it is best for people to follow a healthy diet plan that is moderate - not too indulgent. In the world of fitness and bodybuilding, balance is key. Any fitness expert or guru will tell you that if your diet is not balanced that is not a good thing and you need to make some changes.

In order to follow a low carb diet plan, try to shift your daily eating regimen to something that is higher in fiber and protein. A low carb diet should be within the range of 50 grams of carbs per day. Having said that, if you will stick to mostly fiber and protein rich foods and count the total amount of carbs per meal, you will find that consuming the recommended 50 grams per day will be much easier.

The carbs that we are looking at in our low carb meals is the net carbs, not the total carbs. In order to calculate the net carbs, you would have to subtract the total number of carbs by the fiber content of the food.

Net carbs is what matters and that is why you should stick to foods that have high fiber or high protein content. Foods like whole grain bread, rye, dairy, nuts, and lean meat are very good choices. Additionally, you can add in some fruits and vegetables to supplement your diet.

In totality, a good low carb diet plan should not be too intense. Eat six times a day, follow the main principle, and try to be more active in order to quickly see results.

Photo:  jeffersonaugustin