A high protein, no sugar and no carbs diet is a rather strict diet plan that may be difficult to sustain in the long term. A high protein diet with low or restricted carbohydrates, particularly sugar and other simple carbs, is more likely to succeed because the body and the brain require carbs for energy. You should include fruits and vegetables into a restricted carbohydrate diet to ensure sufficient intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Protein
The high protein content of the diet ensures that you maintain lean muscle tissue, which helps keep your metabolism high and enhances your body's ability to burn fat. Animal protein sources tend to be high in saturated fat, which increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers. To minimize these risks, select lean cuts of meat, poultry, eggs, fish, beans, lentils and legumes.
Theory
Eating carbs can cause an insulin and sugar spike in your body. The resultant dip in sugar and glucose levels makes you crave more carbs, which eventually leads to weight gain. According to Vanderbilt University, a low carb diet will curb your cravings for carbohydrates. You will eat fewer carbs, your food intake will be lower, and weight loss will occur. A no carb and no sugar diet will have the same effect.
Significance
A no sugar and no carbs diet means a complete lack of all refined sugar and all types of carbohydrates in your diet. These include simple and refined carbs such as packaged breakfast cereals, candy, fries and chips, as well as complex carbs like oatmeal, whole grain rice, sweet potatoes and yams. Fruits and vegetables are also taboo on a no carb diet. A diet lacking sugar and refined carbs may help weight loss, but complex carbs provide the body with sustained energy. Fruits and vegetables are nutrient-dense foods that should be an integral part of a weight loss diet.
Effectiveness
A study by the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center published in the May 2003 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine," found that overweight and obese subjects lost more weight after six months on a low carbohydrate diet than on a low fat diet. It should be noted the study remarks on the efficacy of a low or restricted carb diet over a six-month period. It would be difficult to sustain a no carb diet over a similar period.
Warnings
The American Heart Association believes that a high protein, low carb diet lacks essential vitamins, minerals and fiber and that the absence of grains, fruit, vegetables and nonfat diary products may cause high blood pressure. A high protein diet poses a risk of kidney and liver problems to people unable to use the excess protein in their diet. The AHA emphasizes you should lose weight by eating a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables and doing regular exercise.
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