The bad things about low-carb

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Sep 28th 2007 10:43PM

Low-carb dieting is one of the most popular forms of weight-loss out there, and it works! But is it healthy? Fitsugar recently asked that same question and they came up with the precautions for low-carb wannabes:

Low-carb diets can be damaging to the health of women who are pregnant, as well as those with diabetes, kidney stones or high cholesterol.
People following a low-carb plan might be missing important nutrients. Take a multivitamin and possibly fiber supplements if you're going to cut out carbs
High amounts of protein can be damaging to the liver. Be sure to drink lots of water
Remember to consult your doctor before going on any diet.

What do you think about low-carb diets? I think it can be healthy, but I'm not sure that I could follow one on the long term -- I'm too much of a pasta-and-bread fiend.

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Comments (4)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Becky 9-29-2007 @ 3:46PM

I find it appalling that anyone is still saying that diabetics should eat lots of carbohydrates. I'm lucky to have a doctor who understands diabetes, and she was shocked when I told her that the diabetes specialist she sent me to (early/mild type 2 diabetes) told me I should snack on raisins and crackers. She agreed that a low to moderate carbohydrate diet would be good for me.

Why? Carbohydrates are what raise your blood sugar. And that blood sugar is exactly what people with diabetes' bodies have a hard time converting to energy, so it stays in their blood and damages their cells.

Of course, if you're taking insulin, switching to a low-carb diet would mean you'd need less (a good thing, since insulin promotes the storage of calories as fat). And also, of course, anyone with diabetes should always talk to their doctor before making changes to their diet.

-Becky
http://www.myworksinprogress.com

Ajastoy 11-24-2007 @ 2:35PM

Low Carb is damaging to people with Diabetes! Hogwash! I'm a type 2 diabetic for over 10 years. When I was diagnosed my cholesterol was 320,,,,Triglycerides were 480. Last lab work,,,,Cholesterol was 180,,, Trigs were 125,,, up from a low previously of 75. It might work for some people, for others it may not. Works just fine for me.

Caterina Pryde 11-24-2007 @ 3:02PM

Where'd you get your information?? John's Hopkins recently published a long term study comparing 4 major diets, and Atkins participants came out best, with the lowest cholesterol ratings. Ornish participants came out worst. No proof that high protien damages liver or kidneys, the only recommendation is that it's not for people with moderate to severe kidney disease. A number of studies from respected institutions- not pharma or food companies- have come up with the same results recently. There is a HUGE issue out there about the fact that diabetics can avoid insulin, and indeed many can avoid using any drugs, on a low carb diet. Check out Men's Health Magazine's website for more info. The American Diabetic Assoc. has been recommending the same useless diet since the 40s!

Kelly 11-24-2007 @ 4:47PM

People seem to equate low carb with high protein. In reality, you should be eating low glycemic vegetables, some nuts (not peanuts, which are legumes), and some fruits like blueberries and raspberries along with your meat. On a low carbohydrate diet, you don't plunk a 16 oz steak on a plate with a side of cheese cubes and call that dinner. That meal would be low in carbs but terrible for your kidneys...and the type of meal that gave "low carb diets" a bad name. Instead, you do a piece of meat about the size of the palm of your hand. Then you fill the rest of your plate with healthy low glycemic veggies, fruits, and/or nuts. If you do that, you'll get your nutrients, keep your carb intake down, and you won't overwhelm your system with a lot of protein to digest.