Many people drastically cut down on the carbohydrates they eat in order to lose weight. However, carbohydrates are an essential nutritional component and give our bodies energy. No-carb diets can be difficult to sustain and can result in a variety of destructive side effects. Cutting down on the carbohydrates you intake through juices may be a good idea. Unfortunately, there are no juices that have zero carbs, but many have less than others.
Carbs and Weight
Many people follow low- and no-carb diets because they promise fast weight loss. The findings of a 2007 study that first appeared in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" suggests that low-carb, high-protein diets result in slightly more weight loss. One reason eating a lower-carb diet may appeal to you is that proteins and fats take longer for your body to digest and therefore keep you full longer. So, switching to a lower-carb diet in favor of these foods may have made it easier to stick to your diet and lose weight. However, choosing carbohydrates that have a high fiber content, such as whole grain products, can have a similar effect.
Juice Comparisons
The following carb counts are all for an 8 oz. serving of juice. Tomato juice, at 10.3 grams, has the lowest number of carbs. Grapefruit juice, at 22 grams, is your next best bet. Orange juice has 26 grams. Apple juice has 29 grams of carbs per serving. Cranberry juice has 31 grams, though because of its tartness, many brands add a lot of sugar. Pineapple and grape juices have 35 and 38 grams, respectively. Prune juice is the worst option for those on a low-carb diet; it has 45 grams per serving.
Risks of No-Carb Diets
According to Mayoclinic.com, there are many risks associated with following a low-carb diet, let alone a no-carb diet. For example, if your meal plan is primarily meat-based, you will be consuming a lot of saturated fat and cholesterol. This can increase your risk of heart disease. Additionally, a no-carb diet will put your body in a state of ketosis. Ketosis occurs when our body's deposits of glycogen, which is our body's fuel storage. Side effects of ketosis include weakness, nausea, dehydration, dizziness and irritability. Following a no-carb diet may put you at risk of malnutrition. Instead of cutting out all carbs, stick to complex carbs such as those found in potatoes, nuts, vegetables and whole grain cereals.
Alternatives
Always look for juices with no added sugar. Many "light" juices cut down the sugar content, thereby reducing carbohydrates because sugar is a carbohydrate. You can also look for a juice, soda or powder mix made with artificial or natural sweeteners such as aspartame or stevia. These sweeteners have zero carbohydrates per serving. To cut your juices' carbohydrates in half, mix half a serving with water. You may find you enjoy the less sweeter taste. Try juices that need to be diluted, such as lime or lemon. Two tablespoons of each will flavor a full glass of water and only has 2 grams of carbs.
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