The Diet Lie: Why Low-Carb Can Make You Sick and Fat

Created: 2018-07-16Updated: 2018-07-16, 10:15 am

By: Jasmine Farah

Low-carb is considered a crash diet that quickly sheds the pounds.

But with harmful consequences.

© pixabay

Get a bikini figure quickly: That's what the low-carb diet promises.

But doctors warn against eating too few carbohydrates.

How healthy is the diet really?

The

has been unbroken for years - after all, the diet promises to melt a few extra pounds in no time at all.

It should then show its magical effect in particular, in order to conjure up

before a beach holiday.

The best thing about it: And without cravings or a nagging feeling of hunger.

But does low-carb really keep what it promises?

Or do you just end up harming your body?

Diet trend low carb: pounds down in no time - but dangerous?

First of all, it is important to understand how the diet works in the first place.

Low-carb means "

" in English - that means: You can eat protein (and sometimes fat) in the form of meat, cheese or fish - while reducing the carbohydrates as much as possible.

Video: Low Carb - Carbohydrates are so important for losing weight

Low-carb disciples therefore remove starchy products such as pasta, rice or potatoes from their diet - and

.

Celebrities and supermodels in particular have been swearing by this diet for years to stay slim.

But nutrition experts warn of the

that the diet can bring.

The reason for this: Carbohydrates, along with fat and protein, are a main component of our food and provide the body with quick energy.

If too much energy is provided, the body cannot use it and converts it into fat - as an emergency reserve for lean times.

Low-carb: fast weight loss - but harmful to health in the long run?

However, when carbohydrates are not available, the body believes that

.

He switches to an austerity program and burns the fat reserves in order to get energy for vital organs, the brain and the musculoskeletal system.

also read

16:8 Diet - Fitness expert reveals how you can lose 5 kilos a week with intermittent fasting

When is alcohol consumption too much?

Test your drinking habits

This results in

.

And indeed, several studies have already shown that subjects on a low-carbohydrate diet lost more pounds at the end of the study period than the comparison group on a low-fat diet.

But at what price?

Doctors warn against eating low-carb for too long - after

.

In women, this can even lead to missed periods.

In addition, it could lead to cardiovascular problems, which lead to health-damaging consequences, especially in the elderly or pregnant women.

Heart, kidneys, menstruation: low carb means stress for the body

In addition, some low-carb forms allow a lot of fat to be consumed - but mountains of cheese, cream and butter can also clog arteries.

The high protein intake is also said to be problematic for people with kidney or liver problems.

After all, for some people, not eating carbohydrates even ends with headaches, bad breath, muscle cramps and nausea.

And the long-term studies also showed that after a year the weight values ​​of the two comparison groups were the same again.

Low-carb creates a yo-yo effect - and a craving for sweets

Above all, the loss of water in the first few days and weeks is responsible for the rapid weight loss.

As soon as the pointer stops on the scale, many get frustrated – and go back to the old diet or get

.

The result: the yo-yo effect kicks in – and you often end up losing more kilos than before the diet.

Long-term weight loss looks different - which is why the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) urgently advises

.

However, too much exercise can also make you fat - but why is that?

You can find out here.

Also read our big guide on how to finally get rid of your fat with these fat burner tricks.

Also interesting: Unbelievable but true - this couple lost 262 kilos together.

By Jasmine Pospiech

Distinguish good from bad carbohydrates

View photo gallery