A low-carb diet can be extremely effective for dropping excess fat, and studies show it may also help reduce the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. The intention behind the diet — to reduce the amount of unhealthy carbs you consume on a regular basis — isn’t inherently a bad idea, but you need to be smart about how you execute it.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Eating too much unhealthy fat
Eating low-carb isn’t an excuse to go nuts on beef, pork, eggs, butter, cheese, and other foods with high trans or saturated fat content. Eating a diet high in trans fat isn’t heart-healthy. Consuming high levels of trans fat may cause your liver to produce more LDL cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol.
Skimping on Vegetables
Time and time again, people say they don’t feel good eating a diet lower in carbohydrates. And, it turns out they are eating almost no vegetables or fruit. This will not work in the long run. The low-carb diet includes vegetables. In other words, you should be eating more of them than any other food and not forgetting your FRUITS!
Not Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep or a circadian rhythm disorder may be one of the factors. With less energy, it will be more difficult to lose weight. People who are sleep deprived are more likely to store body fat. Lack of sleep also leads to an increased level of ghrelin – the hormone that tells the brain when we are hungry.
Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol is a no-no for those who are trying shed extra pounds. Apart from adding calories, alcohol has other disadvantages when it comes to weight loss. Even if there is no sugar in it, your body can’t store alcohol as fat – it has to metabolise it first.
Not Planning Your Diet
Planning your meals in advance will prevent excessive snacking and help you avoid binging accidents. This doesn’t mean that you will have to track your diet forever but it will help you avoid common mistakes, especially if you are new to the diet.
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