Low-carbohydrate diets were developed because carbs are the body's primary energy source. If your body does not get carbs, it must turn to stored body fat to fuel daily activities and exercise. Low-carb diets drastically reduce the amount of fruits, vegetables and grains you eat daily. Since these provide nutrients and antioxidants needed for good health, consult your doctor before beginning a low-carb diet.
Atkins Diet
The Atkins Diet was the first mainstream low-carbohydrate diet. It prohibits carbohydrate-rich foods, such as, breads, cereals, starchy vegetables, fruits and high-sugar snacks. However, the Atkins Diet permits unlimited meat consumption. According to a study published in the March 2007 "Journal of the American Medical Association," this diet is more effective at long-term weight loss than a low-fat diet. Researchers found those on Atkins lost twice the amount of weight as subjects on the low-fat Ornish Diet.
South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet is similar to Atkins, but not quite as stringent about banning carbohydrates. It is broken down into three phases. Phase 1 lasts two weeks and it is low in carbs. This phase is strict, but it helps eliminate cravings for sugars and starches. Phase 2 allows you to incorporate carbs, like fruits and legumes, back into your diet for good health. The last phase is designed for weight maintenance, because the initial phases help break your addiction to high carbohydrate and high-sugar foods.
Paleolithic Diet
The Paleolithic Diet is also referred to as the caveman diet. It was designed on the theory that Paleolithic people at natural foods, like meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables. They did not have access to processed, carbohydrate-rich foods, so these foods are banned on the Paleolithic diet. According to the August 2009 issue of "Cardiovascular Diabetology," the Paleo Diet can lead to significant weight loss. The research found subjects on this diet lost an average of 6 lbs. in three months.
Bernstein Diet
The Bernstein Diabetic Diet was developed by Dr. Richard K. Bernstein, who developed Type 1 diabetes when he was 12. This diet can be followed by those with or without diabetes. Like most low-carb diets, it promotes low starch and sugar intake, but plenty of protein. The Bernstein diet helps maintain stable blood sugar levels by limiting net carb intake and getting rid of all simple sugars, like desserts and baked goods.
References
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN Diets for Change in Weight and Related Risk Factors Among Overweight Premenopausal Women; Christopher D. Gardner, et al.; March 2007
- Cardiovascular Diabetology: Beneficial Effects of a Paleolithic Diet on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Cross-Over Pilot Study; Tommy Jönsson, et al.; August 2009
- Diet.com; The Bernstein Diet; Ken R. Wells
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