Low-Carbohydrate Diet Facts

Low-carbohydrate diets require that you significantly reduce the amounts of breads, pastas, fruits, vegetables, desserts and milk you eat. Some plans that are less restrictive allow you to eat some fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Most of your calories come from foods such as meat, fish, poultry and eggs. These diets force your body to switch from using carbohydrates as your primary energy source to using protein and fat.

How They Work

Your body normally converts carbohydrates into sugar. Your blood transports the sugar into your cells for energy with the help of insulin. Extra sugar is stored in your muscles and liver as glycogen. Depriving your body of carbohydrates lowers insulin levels and encourages your body to burn stored fat for fuel, causing you to lose weight. These types of diets generally restrict your carbohydrate intact between 50 and 150 grams per day, reports MayoClinic.com.

What You Can Eat

There are several different versions of low-carbohydrate diets, or high-protein diets as they are sometimes called. The Atkins Diet is known for strictly limiting carbohydrates, especially in the early stages. Things like apples, bananas, carrots and potatoes are not allowed, but foods such as cream, butter and bacon are. The Zone Diet takes a more balanced approach and allows a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Reasons for Weight Loss

The most strict forms of the diet limit carbohydrates and replace your daily calories with protein --- which sometimes makes up to 50 percent of your diet. High-protein diets affect your metabolic processes and have a diuretic effect on the body that causes it to expel water. Many of the pounds you lose early in a program can be chalked up to this water loss. Other reasons for weight loss are the feeling of fullness protein and fat provide and an overall reduction of calories.

Ketosis and Other Issues

When burning fat for fuel, your body enters a state called ketosis. Ketosis is the normal state for the body when burning fat, but sometimes the metabolic processes are inefficient, and fat breakdown by the body is not complete. This can cause a series of problems such as dehydration, nausea, weakness and irritability. These diets are often high in saturated fats and cholesterol, and the low fiber content can lead to problems with digestion.