It promises an immediate weight loss ranging from 2 to 4 kilos per week thanks to the drastic reduction of carbohydrates in favor of proteins. But the so-called low carb diets do not fully convince dieticians who continue to prefer a more balanced diet

Low-carbohydrate diets were born in the 90s in the United States and promise almost miraculous weight loss: from 2 to 4 kilos per week. For some time, however, they have been the subject of heated controversy, not so much on the veracity of the slimming effects, but on the repercussions that this diet would have on the health of those who follow it.

Low carb diets, such as South Beach and Paleolithic, are based on the drastic reduction of carbohydrates (less than 100 grams per day) from the diet.

In this way, the body cleans itself of sugars (responsible for raising blood sugar) and is forced to attack fats in order to find the fuel necessary for its functioning. Foods that raise blood sugar levels such as pasta, white bread and sweets are assimilated very quickly and stimulate the metabolism to turn glucose into fat. With protein foods this process does not happen.

Which foods are allowed in a low carb diet and which are prohibited?

Let’s start with the vegetables. Green light for: zucchini, cabbage and cauliflower, fennel, spinach, asparagus, eggplant, broccoli, cucumber, chicory, escarole and lettuce, tomatoes, pumpkin, green beans, artichokes.

As for fruit, however, green light for: lime, pomegranate, strawberries, papaya, berries, blueberries, peaches, apricots.

As for cheeses, the low carb allows mozzarella, pecorino, ricotta, fontina, parmesan, stracchino, scamorza, caciocavallo while for meat and fish it is possible to choose between turkey, chicken, beef, pork, rabbit, lamb, tuna, trout, swordfish, seafood, anchovies, sardines, mussels, squid, clams, octopus, mullet.

Forbidden foods, or in any case not provided because they are rich in sugar are: potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, pizza, crackers, biscuits, chocolate, chestnuts, kiwis, pears, mangoes, bananas, grapes, carrots, peas, honey, sugary drinks, dried or dehydrated fruit, soy.

But what are the risks of a diet that involves the abolition (or drastic reduction) of carbohydrates? First of all, the cardiovascular risk. Excessive consumption of fats causes an increase in cholesterol with a real possibility of heart attack and arterioschlerosis. The low intake of carbohydrates, as well as that of fruit and vegetables (foods rich in fiber and antioxidants) would expose you to cancer risk (bladder, breast, stomach and colorectal). Furthermore, with a low carb diet, the danger of ketosis is high. And if on the one hand the lack of sugar in the blood means that the body, to find energy, attacks the fats directly, making you lose weight quickly (this process is called ketosis) on the other hand, headaches, exhaustion, bad breath are all ‘agenda!

That is why the opinions of dieticians on low-carb diets are mixed. If on the one hand, given the speed with which it is possible to lose weight, these regimes are useful for combating obesity, on the other hand the health complications are really many. Therefore avoid doing it yourself and always contact a nutritionist finger specialist.