Popularized by Robert Atkins decades ago, the low carbohydrate diet has endured as a controversial weight loss method. While proponents of low-carb eating believe that the diet is a safe weight-management tool, mainstream experts from MayoClinic.com point to the diet's numerous drawbacks. If you are considering experimenting with a low-carb diet, you may first want to consider some of the physiological and logistical disadvantages.
Cravings
From a discipline standpoint, low-carb diets are some of the more difficult diets to follow, especially in the beginning. As blood glucose levels fall, your body will think it is in danger of starving; thus, it will trigger powerful cravings for sweets. While these cravings generally subside after a few weeks, the initial cravings may be too much for some people, causing them to abandon the diet.
Dehydration
Carbohydrates tend to cause water retention in most people. Cutting carbs tends to cause a diuretic effect, causing you to lose water weight. Unless fluids are constantly supplied, a low-carb diet can leave you more vulnerable to dehydration. This water loss can also be misinterpreted as fat loss, making you think you have made more progress in weight loss than you actually have.
Social Situations
Countless social situations, including weddings, funerals and business functions are centered around food. Trying to stick to a low-carb diet during these events can be stressful. In these situations, you'll probably be faced with the decision of going off your diet or the situation will become awkward if you refuse to eat what is presented to you.
Heart Disease Risk
Unlike more conventional diets that restrict fat, low-carb diets allow much more dietary fat than what is considered healthy by mainstream health experts. Because of this, the MayoClinic.com warns that the high amounts of saturated fats allowed on low-carb plans like the Atkins diet may increase your risk of stroke and heart disease.
Constipation
With most grains eliminated, fiber is often too low on carb-restricted diets, causing constipation and abdominal discomfort. According to Atkins, low-carb dieters should keep their vegetable intake high, and they may want to use a mild fiber-based laxative like psyllium husk.
References
- "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition": Dr. Robert Atkins: 2002
- "The Metabolic Diet"; Dr. Mauro Di Pasquale; 2000
- MayoClinic.com: Atkins diet: What's behind the claims?
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