So You Want a No Carb Diet on Your Friend's Advice?

When did you plan to go for a no carbs diet? So you're thinking to switch onto the Atkins diet? But did you know that it can cause more harm to you than good? It is better if you go for a less carbs plan than a no carbs one!

Background

If you're still in the dark about the food groups that fall in the carbohydrate category - here's a quick revision. Breads, pasta, rice, potatoes and other starchy vegetables and cereals make up the carbohydrate group. They are an essential source of energy for the body and aid in nutrition intake and absorption. One of the simplest classifications of the carbohydrate is simple and complex carbs. Mono and disaccharides fall in the simple category and the oligosaccharides and polysaccharides fall into the complex category.

One might argue that the body can use energy from the stored fat and proteins and hence requires no carbohydrates to replenish its energy. The same people in fact, go on to the extent of saying that since per unit of fat gives more energy, they give off more units of energy that the same amount of carbohydrate. With due respect to their observations and thesis, we would like to break the myth here. Did you know that the brain derives its energy from the breakdown of glucose (a type of carbohydrate!) and not fat?

The neurons and the nervous system cannot use fat as a source of energy but use carbs. And it perhaps needs no mention that they are the main organ system in the human body. But it is true that carbohydrates should be had sparingly. So what carbs to take and what to avoid?

Have less of heavily refined carbohydrate articles like pasta and spaghetti. Rather include brown bread and pulses in your diet. You will find that you'll start losing weight faster - combined with proper exercises and stuff. Fiber rich and whole grain cereals are essential in a balanced diet and more for achieving your goals in a lesser time. This is the most important part, where people lose and even after heavy repetitions, they find that they are not able to lose weight.

For a proper functioning of the body, ideally the energy supplied from the carbs should be in the range of 45-55% and sugar from those carbohydrates should be around 4%. That clearly means that no gorging on chocolates and sweets. A controlled diet is a must for achieving great results.

The nest time someone suggests you a carb-free diet - give him a lesson in carbohydrate mechanism and other important energy production pathways in the body. They will slowly follow in your footsteps!

Magdalena A. Amagadon writes to inspire people to take daily action for realizing their goals and dreams. Go here for Your No Carb Diet Pasta Recipe