The trend in recent years of eating low carb diets has died out a little, but it still has a fairly wide following and for good reason: it works. Clinical studies have shown that people hoping to lose weight have had more success on a low carbohydrate diet than the standard low fat and low calorie diets. The discrepancy of low carbohydrate diets comes from the position they take on the recommendation of fatty foods. Be sure you understand the benefits and negatives associated with a low carbohydrate diet before you begin one.

The Atkins Diet is the most well-known low carb diet and was a big fad a few decades ago. Similar diets have been created to the Akins Diet, namely the South Beach Diet, the Zone Diet and Sugar Busters. These diets reduce the amount of carbohydrates in a diet, but do not eliminate them, contrary to popular misconception. These diets say that your primary source for carbohydrates should come from natural foods like certain fruits and vegetables. By eliminating refined foods like flour and sugar from your diet, you allow your body to burn fat stores instead of using the carbohydrates first.

Lower blood sugar is the key to weight loss. High blood sugar means you body must produce more insulin to regulate the sugar levels and this causes your body to convert carbohydrates into fat. Avoiding overly sugary and processed foods is a key to many diets, low carbohydrate diets included. Apart from losing weight, it has also been shown that there is a stark relationship between high carbohydrate intake and acne. The production of insulin caused by carbohydrates causes a change in the hormonal balances in the body that can lead to clogged pores and skin breakouts.

The reason many past followers have abandoned low carbohydrate diets is for two main reasons. The permission that low carbohydrate diets give participants to consume high amounts of fat can backfire. The idea is you should eat until you feel satisfied, but unfortunately human gluttony can lead to overeating, causing the diet to lose effectiveness. The other reason is food boredom. Many participants in low carbohydrate diets find they cannot handle going without carbohydrate-rich foods they were once used to, like bread, pasta and potato chips. All diets are challenging because losing weight is challenging. If after you have done your research, consulted with your doctor and determined that a low carbohydrate diet is for you, stick with it and you surely see results.