This diet is mainly intended for overweight people and diabetics. But it is not always easy to follow in the long term.

The “low carb” diet is, as its name suggests, a low carbohydrate diet which, when properly conducted (with vegetables), is balanced.

Profile

Low in carbohydrates (especially starches), balanced to high in protein and rather high in fat

Principle

Limit the intake of carbohydrates to cause the body to burn mainly fat by converting it into energy.

Strong points

• Satiety
• Rapid weight loss

Weak points

• Can be socially restrictive, and restrictive, sometimes difficult to follow in the long term
• Possible deficiency in certain minerals and vitamins (especially when it is strict)

What is the low carb diet?
This diet is based on the more or less strict restriction of carbohydrates, especially sugars and carbohydrates sources of starch. The amount of carbohydrate consumed daily depends on your weight or health goals.

The range is very wide: between 15 g of carbohydrates per day for the strictest diet and 130 g for the most permissive.

But to arrive at these limited quantities, it is necessary to eliminate or considerably reduce certain common foods such as bread, pasta, rice, sugar, potatoes … and replace them with meat, fish, low carbohydrate vegetables. , nuts, fats (well selected), low glycemic fruits (in more or less large quantities).

This regime has long had bad press. It departs (a lot) from the recommendations of health authorities, which recommend starchy foods at every meal and explain that carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy and that they are essential for the body.

In fact, according to the United States Institute of Medicine, the minimum carbohydrate requirement, once the body obtains enough fat and protein, are probably close to zero: the body can do without them as the first. energy source. From fat (ingested or stored), the body makes ketone bodies that serve as an alternative fuel. When the production of ketone bodies is sufficient, the body is said to be in a state of ketosis.

The low carb diet isn’t just for weight loss. It lowers the level of cardiovascular risk markers (like triglycerides), lowers blood sugar and may prevent or reverse diabetes.

In practice
The “low carb” diet is not for everyone; it can be difficult to follow in the long run. This diet is especially recommended for people who are overweight and / or whose blood sugar is high. An alternative is not to cut back on carbohydrates, but to choose better quality ones.