In order to experience the advantages of a low-carb diet, strict adherence is not required. Similar health benefits can be achieved by adopting a low-carb diet and lifestyle, and doing so is straightforward.
Cooperation with Atkins
We’re not here to convince you that a low-carb diet is the way to go. Here are some of the advantages of adopting a low-carb diet. Adopting a low-carb lifestyle means focusing more on the big picture and less on the numbers in your food log and blood work test results, in contrast to strict low-carb diet plans that require you to meticulously calculate your daily carb intake, use strips to detect ketones, and encourage you to measure your triglyceride levels.
Consider this: do you want to stick to a detailed, numerical action plan that becomes so overwhelming that you give up on it after a few months? Instead, why not try making just one simple mental shift that can have you feeling better right away? There are many advantages to adopting a low-carb diet and lifestyle.
In that case, could you please define a low-carbohydrate way of life for me? We’ve already established that this is more of a mental shift than a dietary one. You just cut back on simple carbs and up your protein and healthy fat intake. To put it another way: (Yes, it’s really that simple.) That way, you can reduce your carb intake without keeping score. Whole foods, like those listed below, are emphasised in a low-carb diet.
meat, fish, and eggs are examples of high-protein foods.
Avocados, nuts, and olive oil are examples of healthy fats; vegetables and some fruits are good sources of fibre; chia seeds and flaxseeds are good sources of protein.
This is a low-carb way of life, not a diet, so it must be manageable even when you’re busy. Convenient snacks, like the Chocolate Banana Shake developed by Atkins, can help you maintain your new lifestyle without the need for any complicated math.
So, at this point, you’re probably thinking, “Is this too good to be true?” And the resounding “no” is the correct response. The results of adopting a low-carb diet are evident almost immediately, as evidenced by the following list.
1. Your energy levels won’t fluctuate wildly.
It’s true that eating a lot of carbohydrates can cause your blood sugar to spike and crash. Here’s another fact: Your vitality goes up and down and all around like a roller coaster at Six Flags when your blood sugar is erratic. However, if you adopt a low-carb diet and lifestyle, your blood sugar and energy levels will begin to stabilise. The first few days on a low-carb diet are notorious for fatigue and other symptoms that have been dubbed the “low-carb flu” by those in the know. But eventually your body will calibrate, and you can say goodbye for good to those dreaded afternoon lulls.
2. In time, your skin tone could brighten.
It’s possible that your favourite influencer has been keeping you in the dark about the low-carb lifestyle’s potential benefits to your skin. Incorporating more healthy fats into your diet, which are great for your skin, will require a reduction in the amount of carbohydrates you consume. The Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State University states that omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as other healthy fats, can improve blood flow to the skin, giving it a clearer, plumper appearance. Refined sugar, a common ingredient in carb-heavy foods, is inflammatory and can be avoided by reducing your intake of these foods. Pair this with your regular skincare routine and, next thing you know, you’ll be walking through the world with an ethereal radiance. (Go rack up those Likes!)
3. There will be fewer times when you constantly feel hungry
Bread is said to “stick to your bones,” so it may seem counterintuitive that consuming fewer carbohydrates would help you feel full. Eating less carbohydrates and more fats and proteins, as recommended by the Mayo Clinic, can help you feel full for longer. Here’s an illustration: the Chocolate Almond Caramel Bar from the Atkins diet. All of this is packed into a 180-calorie bar that also has 9 grammes of healthy fats, 10 grammes of fibre to slow digestion, and only 3 grammes of net carbs. For context, a 160-calorie bag of potato chips contains just 2 grammes of protein, 10 grammes of oily fat, 1 gramme of fibre, and 14 grammes of net carbohydrates. If you need something to hold you over until dinner, which do you think will do the trick?
4. You might feel less bloated
If you frequently experience bloating but can’t pinpoint the cause, a high carbohydrate diet and subsequent water retention may be to blame. Extra glucose is stored as glycogen and used for power when your system is low on glucose. One drawback, however, is that glycogen tends to come with two or three times as much water as glycogen itself. If you eat a lot of carbohydrates that your body can’t use right away, you’ll feel puffy. The good news is that the answer is straightforward: Aim for a low-carb diet!
5. you could find that your irritability decreases.
Blood sugar levels spike and drop rapidly when a high-carb diet is consumed on a regular basis. Those highs and lows are related to more than just your blood sugar level; they affect your disposition as well. (Have you noticed how irritable and short-tempered you become when you’re hungry? That’s right, “hangry” is a real word with an official Merriam-Webster definition. A low-carb diet and lifestyle can help you keep your equilibrium.
6. Your workouts will be more productive.
Just do the math. Protein is essential for optimal muscle growth and recovery after exercise (which, as you know, helps promote muscle growth and regeneration). There is less “room” for protein when you consume more carbohydrates. If you reduce your carb intake, you’ll have room in your diet for more protein. Exercisers on the ketogenic diet (a low-carb, high-fat diet) showed improved fat-burning capabilities during endurance training, according to a 2016 study published in Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental. In that case, I bid you farewell and bid you set some personal bests!
7. Keeping tabs on calories is unnecessary.
The 1,200-calorie diet, which entails precisely what it implies, was one of the most widely followed diets this year. You can only consume 1,200 calories per day. To achieve this, you must record what you eat in a food journal or on your phone at every meal (unless you have a peerlessly photographic memory, of course). Isn’t that draining to think about? If you’re trying to live a low-carb lifestyle, your only concern should be carbs—not counting them, but being aware of how many you’re eating. Your diet will shift to include more healthy fats, protein, and fibre while reducing your sugar intake.
8. You’ll have a better chance of experiencing long-term health benefits.
As stated in point #9 A low-carb diet is more practical in the long run than restrictive fad diets. In other words, you can still enjoy food without worrying about calories or going off your diet if you eat it in moderation and make some smart substitutions (or eat less of it). Having this advantage will help you keep up your current standard of living as you age.
9. Your sugar cravings will decrease.
When you eat foods that are high in both carbohydrates and sugar, your brain releases feel-good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and other calming endorphins. If you experience positive effects from these substances, you may be more inclined to seek them out on a regular basis. Because of this, a diet high in carbohydrates can set off a vicious cycle of overeating due to cravings. You can reduce your dependence on sugar and sweets by eating fewer carb-rich foods, which will eliminate your cravings for them during crashes.
10. so your jeans should fit better.
One of the most common ones is that people want to lose weight*. And it’s no surprise why: it really does help many people. To lose up to a pound and a half per week, the Mayo Clinic recommends reducing your carb intake to 2 ounces (or 240 calories) per day. The one and only caveat is that you must maintain consistency.