Low Carbohydrate Diets, Are They Good For You? By Dori Gallagher

Low Carbohydrate Diets The Atkins diet Sugar busters The zone South beach

Overweight Population

Low Carbohydrate Craze Becoming big business Transforming store shelves Changing the way we look at food Restaurants even adding items to menu

What Are Carbohydrates? Main source of energy for the body Complex biochemical structures Serve vital functions to the human body Thousands of repeating sugar units

Low Carbohydrate Foods Dense in nutrients Natural or unprocessed foods Higher in protein and fiber Take longer to digest Feel satisfied longer

High Carbohydrate Foods Cause the blood sugar to surge then plummet Create cravings for more carbohydrates Body burns the carbohydrates and stores the fat High carbohydrate foods turn into fat

How Does The Diet Work? Carbohydrates stimulate insulin production Insulin is the hormone that stores fat Low carbohydrate, means fat and protein are left Protein and fat do not stimulate insulin

What Are The Critics Saying Diet does not follow ADA dietary recommendations Diet is unbalanced Restrict healthful foods Deprive essential nutrients

The Critics Comparison

Low Carbohydrate Diets Help to recognize the nutritional value of food Don’t feel deprived Don’t feel hungry Regulates insulin secretion and blood sugar People ARE losing weight

With the Proper Diet, You Can Achieve Your Goals