Is Low Carbohydrates the Way to Go or Is Low Fat Better?

Is Low Carbohydrates the Way to Go or Is Low Fat Better?

Posted November 14, 2009 By Karen

: Image by size8jeans via Flickr

An examination of the differences between low carb and low fat plans.

A study took two hundred people, split the group in half and made each half follow one type of diet for a year. After 12 months the participants in each group lost a similar amount of weight, but the low carbohydrate group had lower HDL-cholesterol levels as well as lower systolic blood pressure than the low fat group. As a result, in addition to weight loss, a low carb diet can improve your overall health.

Monday through Friday, it is simple to stay on track with a low carb plan.

My body changed for the better when I ate minimal carbs. I also like the way my body feels. I am more vigorous and get more done. This is the best diet plan for me throughout the week. Because you do not experience the intense desire to eat that you do on higher carbohydrate plans, this dieting style lends itself perfectly to the Eat Stop Eat dieting style.

It is harder to follow low carbohydrate dieting on Saturday and Sunday.

I’m a social guy, so I do like to enjoy time with family and friends on the weekend. Many times when you’re gathered with friends and family, you won’t be eating low carb food. It’s perfectly normal to take in a few carbs on the weekend. I attempt to eat more greens and lean meats but I cannot tell you that I am able to do this at every meal. Nachos and beer are some examples of prime weekend food that is high in carbs, but also high in flavor.

For some meals, I try to eat food that is both low in fat and low in carbohydrates.

If you want to lose weight within a couple of weeks and need the most efficient diet, eat calorie-light proteins and stay off the carbs like you normally do. For no more than fourteen days, you can take in fewer calories from fat and carbs and lose weight quickly. Chicken and greens are fantastic ways to stay low carb as well as low fat. This is what I would call a “vacation prep” diet.

Most of the Time, It’s Okay to Eat A Lot of Meat

When I eat on my own on a typical work day, I enjoy primal meals which are higher in protein and healthy fats while being low carb. It seems to be a good way to eat for me. I am pretty sensitive to carbs, and they cause me to get a bit tired during the day. When carbs such as bread and potatoes are not available at meals, I lean toward consuming more fruits and veggies. On Saturdays and Sundays, I am not always able to follow the plan and I consume more high fat and high carb meals, much to my disappointment.

Summary: In my opinion, the goal of losing weight is to simply find the easiest way of eating less. What works for me, is eating fewer carbohydrates Monday through Friday alongside two Eat Stop Eat programs, which permits me to consume more traditional meals on Saturdays and Sundays.