Does it really have to be low-carb?

"Just eat fewer carbohydrates, and you'll lose weight." You've probably heard it before when you asked someone what you should do best to lose weight.

Is there really anything to all the hype about low-carb? Let's examine the topic together...

Why do we hear so often that carbohydrates are bad?

In addition to fat and protein, carbohydrates are one of the main components of our food and are used by the body for short-term energy production. If the body does not need any energy, it converts carbohydrates into fat. So too many carbohydrates are bad for us. The rule is: the dose makes the poison. This applies not only to carbohydrates, but also to other food components. In today's society, we simply eat way too much of everything.

Why do many people use a low-carb diet to lose weight?

There are two main reasons for this:

1. The same amount of zucchini noodles have fewer calories than regular noodles. So you can simply eat a lot more with the same calorie intake.
2. You can lose weight relatively quickly. But appearance can be deceiving. Because if you eat a low-carbohydrate diet, in the beginning, you will lose lots of stored water in the body.

Will I automatically lose weight if I eat low-carb?

No! It would be too good to be true what "low-carb" diets promise. You can even gain weight while eating low-carb. It depends on your energy balance. If you burn more calories than you take in, you are in a calorie deficit and losing weight.

So is low-carb bad?

Yes & No! Anyone who sees the low-carb issue too strictly and eats almost no carbohydrates should think twice about it. Some people complain of exhaustion and tiredness. Eating more protein and fat can also raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of kidney damage. A moderate low-carb approach, in which the carbohydrates are not excessively compensated with fat and protein, can work well and lead to healthy weight loss.

Is the low-carb approach right for me?

If you love pasta, bread, and sweets, you will find it very difficult to follow a low-carb diet. If you're constantly fighting what you crave, you won't last very long. You should choose another alternative.

So what is a good alternative to low-carb?

A balanced mix of natural foods: fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, lean meat, and whole grain products. Frozen and premade meals and highly processed foods such as pastries, pizza, sweets, fried foods, etc. should be avoided.

Conclusion

You can lose weight with a low-carb diet. Low-carb, with its many limitations, is not always the best form of nutrition to lose weight successfully and, above all, in the long term. In most cases, it is not the type of nutrition that leads to failure, but the discipline to follow strict guidelines. With a well-thought-out meal plan that adapts to your needs, the chances of lasting through a diet are therefore significantly higher.