Low-Calorie & Low-Carb Diets

Low-Calorie & Low-Carb Diets
Photo Credit pasta image by Ergün Ã--zsoy from Fotolia.com

Trying to lose weight on your own can be a challenge, so following a structured diet plan may improve your chances of success. The most important aspect of a diet is the number of calories it recommends, rather than the type of food it suggests you eat. However, low-carbohydrate diets are among the most popular diet plans. Consuming fewer carbohydrates may reduce insulin secretion, which is beneficial, the Mayo Clinic explains, because insulin halts fat breakdown. In spite of the theory, there is no guarantee of success. Consult a doctor before beginning any diet plan.

Protein-Sparing Modified Fast

The protein-sparing modified fast program is a rapid weight-loss program that is based upon sound nutritional principles. The Cleveland Clinic explains that you mainly consume seafood, lean meat and poultry on this diet, although low-calorie vegetables are acceptable. Maintaining a high intake of protein prevents your body from breaking down muscle, the clinic adds, while the low carbohydrate intake prompts your body to enter a stage called ketosis. Ketosis causes appetite loss and fat breakdown, which may spur weight loss. The clinic recommends you only follow this plan under the supervision of a medical professional.

Anne Collins Diet

The Anne Collins Diet is a low-calorie, low-carb diet plan that has two phases, each lasting two weeks, explains weight-loss website Every Diet. The website notes that during the first phase, your daily carbohydrate intake is restricted to 30 grams, while the second phase allows 55 g of carbohydrates per day. Every Diet notes that this diet has many food substitutes but adds that the Anne Collins Diet recommends an intake of 1,100 calories per day --- about half of the recommended daily calorie intake for the average person.

Anabolic Diet

The Anabolic Diet is a low-carbohydrate diet plan created by Dr. Mauro Di Pasquale to promote fat loss and muscle gain. According to the exercise website Strong Lifts, the first phase of the Anabolic Diet requires 12 days of no carbohydrates. After the first phase, the Anabolic Diet recommends five days of low carbohydrate intake --- 25 g of carbohydrates is the maximum --- followed by two days of high carbohydrate intake --- with 60 percent of your total calories coming from carbohydrates. Like the PSMF, the high protein and low carbohydrate intake is intended to promote the burning of fat for fuel.

References

Article reviewed by Will McCahill Last updated on: Oct 7, 2010

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments