Top 5 Myths About Low Carb Diets
When it comes to weight loss, there are several diets making the rounds. Some of them may be effective and some of them not. And then there’s low carb diet- probably the most popular weight loss diet plans that are implemented by people looking to get back in shape.
While there’s a lot of mystery surrounding this diet, and a lot of questions raised about its credibility and effectiveness, thankfully, there’s also some research and evidence to suggest that it is infact, a good diet option to consider if you’re looking to lose weight.
So while people sticking to low carb diets may get all the glares and stares for eating unhealthy and supposedly inviting heart disease, here’s a little reality check. It’s time to uncover the top 5 myths most people seem to have about low carb diets. Read on…
- Low Carb Equals No Carb
A lot of publications blatantly say that low carb diets need you to completely eliminate carbs from your everyday meals, and that’s just not true. There’s no low carb diet advocate that’ll advise you to do so- they’ll just focus on helping you minimize your carbohydrate intake. Almost all low carb diets actually focus on reducing and adjusting the carb intake of the individual depending on different factors. For optimal fat and inch loss, experts recommend taking in less than 20 carbs per day. - There’s No Fruits & Veggies
Most of the calories from fruits and vegetables come from carbohydrates, which is why, a low carb diet typically contains less of them. However, it is a widespread misconception that people on low carb diets aren’t allowed to have fruits and veggies at all. Infact, it has also been found that people who follow the low carb diet generally end up eating more servings of vegetables than those who do not. In general, under this diet, it is advised to stick to the consumption of those fruits and vegetables that have a low proportion of carbs.
Leafy vegetables like spinach, swiss chard, lettuce, bok choy, kale, collard greens etc are good choices for a low carb diet. - There’s Literally No Fiber
Fiber is a carbohydrate, and most fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber. Since low carb diets need you to significantly reduce your carb intake, it is obviously assumed that the fiber intake will be minimal, and sometimes, some people even claim that people on these diets get no fiber at all, which can prove to be damaging to the digestive system. This is infact, not true, and it is just that this diet recommends the consumption of those fruits and vegetables and other food sources that contain good fiber content. Veggies like asparagus, cabbage, mushrooms, celery, bamboo shoots, fennel, broccoli, brussels sprouts etc are good options that are high in fiber. - Low Carb Diets May Increase Heart Disease Risk
People on low carb diets have this image about themselves that they have a very unhealthy diet that’s rich in meats and fats and no vegetables and fruits, and such a diet contributes to an elevated risk of heart disease. This, however, is not true, and it has been found that the low carb diet is actually beneficial for heart health.
Sign up for our newsletter and receive a list 100+ Keto Friendly Foods (Low Carb) that will help you to kickstart your new lifestyle.
I have to be honest, I have a hard time with these myths! As a vegetarian, I often think I can’t do Keto or low-carb but your post makes me think that maybe I could.
I truly love how this article being written.I really find it so great and engaging.
Low carb dieting has been soooo hard, in particular because I was aiming for no carb– which is soooo hard (impossible!) So thanks for the info, and giving me the the #20 (carbs) to shoot for!
Very interesting post! I had no idea about some of these. Thank you so much for sharing!
Low carb is the way to go. Difficult though since I love my carbs. Never considered that some fruits have a lot of carbs though.
I have tried low/no carb diets before and it is just SO HARD. I have no energy and I feel so hungry all the time. I also love fruit which makes it more difficult. However, there are many low carb recipes that sound good lately.
This was very interesting, I had no idea! I have never actually been on a low carb diet before, but have had friends who have. Thanks for sharing!