Low Carb Diets

The Concept

Low-carb diets, most famously showcased in the world-famous Atkins Diet, work on the basic principal that by reducing one's intake of carbohydrates, the body will reduce its insulin production, so that with no carbs available as energy, the body will instead be forced to burn its fat stores.

Which Foods?

There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are found in white bread, crisps and pastry; whereas complex carbohydrates are found in fruit, vegetables and whole-grain breads. Some low-carb diets focus on reducing one's intake of simple carbohydrates, and other more extreme versions eliminate complex carbohydrates as well.

Dieters are encouraged to increase their intake of protein, through consuming foods such as red meat, cheese and butter. These foods are, however, very high in saturated fat.

More on the risks of low carb diets and the big question: do low-carb diets work?