Breaking through some of the Low Carb Confusion

At the peak of the lowcarb trend in 2004, an estimated 44 million Americans were on a lowcarb diet or were watching their carbohydrate intake. About 5 million of those were taking supplements, according to the Natural Marketing Institute. Estimates of how much we spent during 2004 on lowcarb products vary from $1.3 billion to $2.5 billion.

Is a low carbohydrate diet a healthy diet? Low carbohydrate diets may take off more weight than low-fat diets and may be better for cholesterol too. At least three formal studies from the Dr. Atkins diet have been presented, and all have reached similar results: Rather than making cholesterol soar, as feared, the diet actually appears to improve it, and volunteers take off more weight.

Both the food industry and the various consumer groups have been pushing the FDA to issue guidelines for food manufacturers using the terms "lowcarb" or "reduced carb" in their food labeling- similar to existing guidelines concerning labels for low-fat products.

Under an agreement worked out with the FDA in 2001, food makers can subtract the fiber and sugar replacements from the total carbohydrate count and calculate the remainder as "net carbs". Consumers are confused by the terms "low-carb" and "net carb" and the new rules are expected better explain the terms. It’s also possible that the definition of "net carb" will change.

Americans who are considering dieting should not be distracted by a currently fashionable concept like diet food delivery, or, the glycemic index. The index shows the speed at which foods are converted into sugars in the body. Carbohydrates are converted faster than proteins, and backers of high protein diets and foods have promoted their products as having better scores on the index.

Although some research has suggested a lower glycemic index indicates a lower risk of diabetes, the evidence is not solid enough for all people to base their basic eating plans upon, a government panel decided.

Do Low Carb Dieters need Vitamins?

As the number of low carbohydrate products on the market continues to grow, a related product is booming—vitamins and supplements for low carb dieters. Vitamin makers are now exploiting the pitfalls of high-protein diets, namely that you lose certain nutrients when you cut back on the carbs. For example, you may be deficient in B vitamins found in grain-based products, and in Vitamin C and E, and beta carotene found in fruits and vegetables. Sales of One-A-Day WeightSmart are soaring. However, healthy diet experts generally agree that it’s best to get your vitamins and minerals you need from food.

Just how popular is Low Carb?

While a recent survey showed that 1 in 10 Americans are currently on low carb diets and 25% of all adults were limiting their carbs, an InsightExpress survey that included a random sample of 500 people recruited over the Internet in a 48-hour period in early July 2004 showed that 1 out of 5 Americans have tried a low carb diet.

Fact: low carb diets have helped millions of people lose weight.  But starting a lowcarb diet can raise many questions. It is important learn how to properly structure a low carbohydrate meal plan that will work.  Some dieters use a lowcarb program to achieve short term, rapid weight loss, but a properly designed and followed plan can help you achieve your long term weight loss goals.  This website will help you analyze all of your options from Atkins to The South Beach Diet.