Why Extremely Low-Carb Diets Aren’t a Permanent Weight Loss Solution

A lot of people are under the impression that they need to stick to extremely low-carb diets if they’re ever going to lose weight.  They believe that it’s not just a matter of cutting back a little but that they need to reduce carbohydrates dramatically in order to reach their goals on the bathroom scale.  This is simply not true for the majority of people.

In fact, extremely low-carb diets will not be able to provide you with the permanent weight loss solution that you are after. So, if you are tired of yo-yo dieting and watching your weight fluctuate all the time, continue reading to learn why you should be avoiding extremely low-carb diets.

Here’s What You Really Lose on a Low-Carb Diet

When you go on a low-carb diet, you may indeed lose weight.  Moreover, as long as you do it properly, much of that will indeed be body fat, in addition to water weight and some muscle, which is normal.  That said, you can also lose a great deal more when you’re following an extremely low-carb diet.

The reason is that your body changes the way it functions when you follow an extremely low carb diet. Depending on the type of eating strategy you’re following, it could even end up in a state of ketosis.  This will indeed help you to see some weight loss. However, it does come with drawbacks.  What you lose may not just be weight.

It’s common to experience glycogen depletion through this type of eating strategy. This will cause you to end up feeling weak, tired, and even confused. Moreover, all the reduced body fat will be lost very quickly if you alter your eating habits once again.  Once you reintroduce the carbs into your diet, you will end up gaining weight all over again.

Your Workouts Demand Carbs

You already know that muscles help you burn more calories even while you are at rest, so by building your muscles, you can lose more weight and keep it off. But your body is designed to use carbohydrates for fuel.

So, when you are focused on eating healthy carbs, such as those that come from whole grains, your ability to work out will improve. But without enough carbs, your body will not have the energy to get through a tough workout, whether you are weight training or doing cardio to burn through fat and calories. Therefore, if you want to build muscles and tone up, you definitely should not go on any of the extremely low-carb diets out there.

Low-Carb Diets Adversely Affect Your Mental Health

In order to successfully diet, you need to keep a positive mindset and maintain a balanced mood. Both of these can be more difficult when following a low-carb diet. Rather than constantly craving carbs, allow yourself to enjoy healthy sources, such as veggies, fruits, rice, oats, and beans.

Other Problems Caused by Extremely Low-Carb Diets

In addition to not providing you with permanent weight loss results, an extremely low-carb diet could also cause other problems.

Men, for example, could experience reduced testosterone levels and higher cortisol levels, causing their bodies to actually hold onto fat. Women, on the other hand, could end up with imbalanced hormones and irregular periods.

This is not to say that a healthy balanced eating strategy that involves reducing carbs can’t help you.  In fact, properly balancing macronutrients – which often involves cutting carbs – is steadily becoming a type of diet recommended by doctors.  That said, there is a big difference between cutting back and trying to stick to an extreme form of dieting.

If you wish to lose weight and keep it off, it is best to stick with a whole foods diet that avoids processed foods and doesn’t shy away from a proper balance of healthy carbohydrates. Combine a good diet with a consistent exercise routine and keep it up over time, and you will be far more likely to get long-lasting results.