Seven Low-Carb Myths
November 26, 2008
In the early nineties, the Atkin’s low-carb diet began. It started the trend in dieting that claims you can eat high fattening foods such as bacon and pork and still lose weight just as long as you limit your carbohydrate intake. The low-carb diet is still very popular today. What are the myths that surround low-carb diets? Are they true?
Myth #1 Low-Carb equals No Carb
There is an idea out there that in order for a carbohydrate diet to be successful, you have to eliminate carbohydrates. The truth is, you are able to reduce carbs to a certain level, but you don’t have to stay away from them completely. Diet authors have all sorts of ideas of which levels are best.
Even the Atkins diet is not “no carbs”. It is low in carbohydrates and that low range is only supposed to last for two weeks. Many dieticians even attest that is unhealthy to go without carbohydrates completely.
Myth #2 Low-Carb diets discourage fruits and vegetables
That couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, in low-carb food pyramids, the non-starchy vegetables are what you can eat most abundantly. They are found at the bottom of the low-carb pyramid. Vegetables and fruits are the appropriate carbs that you are supposed to eat when following a low-carb diet.
Myth #3 Low-Carb diets don’t include enough fiber
Not true. Many low-carb foods are also very high in fiber. When you eat the high-fiber foods, in fact, you do not even have to count them as a source of carbohydrate.
Myth #4 Low Carb diets cause heart disease
Scientific studies show that low-carb foods don’t raise the risk of heart disease. Also, a low-carb diet can improve the reduction of cholesterol even if you don’t lose weight.
Myth #5 Low Carb diets damage your kidneys
This myth is based on the fact that when you have kidney problems you should not consume high-protein foods. However, a low-carb diet doesn’t have to be higher in protein than the recommended levels.
Myth #6 Low-Carb diets make you lose calcium
Not true. It turns out that protein actually protects your bones and aides in the absorption of calcium.
Myth #7 Atkins died from his own diet
Robert Atkins did not die because he followed his own diet. He died of head injuries. He had a fall and it was the culprit in his death, not his diet.
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