A low-carb diet limits carbohydrates — such as those found in grains, starchy vegetables and fruit — and emphasizes foods high in protein and fat. Many types of low-carb diets exist. Each diet has varying restrictions on the types and amounts of carbohydrates you can eat. A low-carb diet is generally used for losing weight.
Cutting calories and carbs may not be the only reason for the weight loss with low-carb diets. Some studies show that you may shed some weight because the extra protein and fat helps you feel full longer, which helps you eat less.
Several have now shown that low-carb diets generally don’t raise the levels of “bad cholesterol”, long seen as a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Even in people who do see a rise, other markers of heart health usually improve. It is so confusing that some wonder if we have got the causes of heart disease all wrong.
The first step to following a low carb diet plan is picking the one you resonate most with. You’re probably already familiar with at least a few of them. Here’s a list of the most common ones: Below is a brief rundown of each eating plan.