Low Carb Diets - Healthy or Not?

Atkins

Atkins, South Beach…Low Carb diets are all the rage…but are they good for us?

The first thing to clarify is what we mean by good. The most important thing
to remember is that these diets are ‘Weight Loss’ diets, NOT HEALTH
DIETS. For losing weight, yes they can work…however for overall
health, they are frought with danger.

According to Maharishi Ayurveda™, some high carb foods (pasta, rice, bread etc) are
‘kaphic’ in nature – heavier & sweeter in quality – which is why they can
increase weight more easily. What Western science fails to fully appreciate
though is that food also has a very important ‘emotional’ component.
Carbohydrate/Kaphic foods (‘comfort’ foods) are what nourish us not
only physically but emotionally.

By lowering carbohydrate intake too much, you subject yourself to a high
fat/high protein diet, which not only increases your risk of many other problems
– heart disease etc, but long-term can lead to weakened tissues, lowered immunity,
disturbed energy levels and undernourished emotions.

Next time you see someone who has been on one of these diets, notice how they
probably seemed great initially – because they feel good about losing the weight
– but over time, if they stay on the same diet, they can start to become
irritable/cranky – i.e they lose their ‘sweetness’, and with time they may start
to experience seemingly unrelated health problems.

Another Key Point - The 'Right' Carbohydrates are Always Healthy:

The biggest problem of all with this debate is that people start to
believe that carbohydrates aren't good. What a travesty.

Never forget, the healthiest of all Mother Nature's foods...
fruits, vegetables and wholegrains are predominantly...carbohydrates!!!.

It's only the fact that we Westerners eat most of our carbohydrates in
a 'refined/processed' form, that we hear that carbohydrates are not good.

The problem is not carbohydrates. The problem is not eating carbohydrates in
their 'natural' state - as 'whole foods'.

So you should always be aiming for a 'high carbohydrate' diet. You just need to
make sure you eat healthy carbs, not rubbish carbs.

Summary - WHAT TO DO?

1. Understand we are not necessarily ‘bagging’ these diets. However, they not
suitable for everyone (no ‘generic’ diet is).

2. If you are a Kapha type (sweet natured, more cuddly – easily put on weight
etc) these diets can have some merit for you. Reducing carbs is ‘generally’ good
for you and the recommendation of reducing them at night (after 5-6pm) is
definitely valid. Follow this, but DO NOT eliminate them completely from your
diet, and eat small amounts regularly once the weight is lost.

3. If you a different constitutional type and still have a weight problem, it
is more likely to be digestion/lifestyle based, not ‘food type-caused’. For you
to follow a low-carb diet could actually be very damaging long-term. You need to
address the underlying cause – of which there are too many possibilities to
discuss here.

4. Don't for one minute think low carb diets are healthy (though you can lose weight).
Fruits, vegetables and many wholegrains are high carbohydrate and these 'whole foods'
should be the staple of your diet.

5. Remember any diet alone is not the answer – exercise, lifestyle, stress,
digestion etc all need to be considered in totality to enjoy ideal weight &
ideal health.

We hope that was helpful - Enjoy. Mark & Health Advantage Australia.

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Tip written by Mark Bunn - health guest speaker & health speakers coaching.

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