When you begin a low carb diet, you will probably see immediate effects. Without carbohydrates to burn, your body will start eating up your stored fat for energy. It has been proven that people can lose significant amounts of weight using this method. However, these diets have some drawbacks. Like any diet that helps someone lose weight fast, there are dangerous long-term affects on the health of an individual.

A low carb diet strictly forbids people from consuming such foods as potatoes, yellow squash, and other foods that contain carbohydrates. But these vegetables offer nutrients that are important to every person’s health. Rice and oats are forbidden, but they provide energy not only for the body but for the brain. Our brains rely on energy from our foods to work properly. Therefore, a low-carb diet may not only make you miss important nutrients, but also cause fatigue and a noticeable difference in the thought process.

After years of a low-carb diet, you may be putting yourself at risk for a heart attack. A low-carb diet means consuming foods high in protein and fat. Protein is very helpful in building muscles. Fats are important for energy. However, like with any food, eating an unbalanced diet will result in health problems. Arteries can be clogged or high blood pressure may cause serious illness.

The strict rules surrounding a low-carb diet can be hard to follow. Not even a cough drop with sugar is allowed on this diet. Coming off a low-carb diet can also be a slippery slope. Before beginning any diet, it is important to speak with an experienced nutritionist about the consequences of changing a diet.

Up until recently, the low-fat diets were all the craze. The FDA has been a strong proponent in low-fat diets as a way to remain healthy and control weight for decades. However, during the last few years, the low to no carb diets have become the most popular form of diet plans. They have been known by various names but these diets are commonly known as the Atkins diet, Hollywood diet, high protein diet, and South Beach diet. Only recently has the FDA has begun studying low carb diet plans due to their increasing popularity.

Interestingly, some experts suggest that the FDA had it wrong the whole time. All the foods we eat are composed of three types of molecules: fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Low-fat diet plans, while lower in fat, are often high in carbohydrates. These experts claim that the increase in high carb foods has caused the recent increase in obesity rates.

Next time read the labels on the foods you purchase and notice how many include sugar or sugar derivatives like high fructose corn syrup. Also compare the normal product with the low-fat product and you will see how the low-fat product has higher carbohydrates. » Read more: Reducing Tummy Fat – Facts About Low Carb Diet Plans