High Protein, Low Carbohydrate Diet Downfalls!
So you catch up with a friend who you’ve not seen in 2 weeks and they look fantastic. You discover they have lost a massive 10 pounds on the high protein, low carbohydrate diet they told you about. Now it’s got you thinking right? Maybe you should give this a try to see if you too can have a final result just as great as your friend, and so your journey begins.
Yes it is true that in some cases high protein, low carbohydrate diets do allow some people to reach their weight loss goals. However, this was the diet plan that was all the rage back when no one had ever heard of the band U2 and Michael Jordan was just a lanky kid in high school. This diet plan was big news in the 70’s and look at where we are now, growing more obese by the decade. Doesn’t say much for that diet plan now does it?
Here’s the bottom line: diets whether they be low carbohydrate or not simply do not work for the vast majority of us. If your still not convinced, have a look online at some of the ”success stories” from people claiming to have lost a ton of weight but actually haven’t.
You will hear of lot’s of people saying that when they eat low carbohydrate foods as part of their diet, it satisfies their hunger more, which in some cases is very true as studies have shown that protein is the most satisfying nutrient for our bodies. Proteins coupled with fats, which can usually be found in high protein, low carbohydrate foods, can cause the release of cholecystokinin into your body, which is a hormone that gives us the sensation of feeling full. Some meals and snacks which contain protein can help us feel less hungry and allow us to go longer in between meals. However, the keyword here is ‘some’. Our bodies do not need a protein overload or minimal carbohydrates to allow us the same desired outcome. Simply by eating a healthy balanced diet, inclusive of meals which contain starchy foods, protein foods, healthy carbohydrates, fruit, vegetables and fat, then we to can achieve the same sensation as those who load up on protein and cut out carbohydrates.
A common mistake made by many people who lose weight while on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet is that they think they have actually lost excess body fat weight. When what they have actually more than likely lost, is water from the body. This might look good on the scales for a few hours but it has done nothing for your physical appearance or more importantly, your health. Then to top it all off, once your body regains the lost water, the weight is back on.
So we have to answer this question to ourselves: is losing weight actually a success if it doesn’t stay off? I’m sure you will all agree that the answer here is no. When talking about the big picture, i.e. the long term, then a ‘short term fix’ is not the ‘long term solution’ we are all looking for. Many people on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet will lose weight quickly and regard that as a success; however once they come off that diet, the weight they lost will go back on quicker than it came off. This then leaves them discouraged and disheartened and most probably defeated. If we couple that with the health warnings of heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis that this diet plan has, makes it not worthwhile at all.
There is very little evidence to prove that high protein, low carbohydrate diets allow us to lose weight and keep it off, however consuming a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise will see the weight fall off and stay off for good.
Enjoy and good luck guys!!