Low-carbohydrate diets can be appropriate in some situations, as long as your healthcare provider agrees and you stay under medical supervision.
For some people, a low-carb diet can be helpful for weight loss. It can help you reduce calorie consumption in a few ways.
- It limits certain high-calorie foods like sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, bread, pasta, and other grain products, potatoes, and breaded, fried foods.
- It includes protein and fat, which help promote fullness so it’s easier to eat less.
Reducing carbohydrates from added sugars and refined grains can also help lower blood sugar if you have diabetes or prediabetes as long as the rest of your diet is nutrient-dense.
However, these benefits are not guaranteed for all individuals. It’s important to check with your healthcare provider before following any extreme diet. If you do follow a low-carb diet, it’s best to select vegetables and nutritious sources of protein and fat instead of foods that are high in saturated fat like fatty meats and butter. Seafood, reduced-fat cheese, skinless chicken, meatless products, avocados, nuts, and seeds are examples of nutritious foods.