Share:
Diet Comparison Why low-carb diets are usually not a good idea
Be it the accumulated kilos of Christmas treats, feasting on New Year's Eve or being overweight for some time already: For many people, the new year starts with the good intention to lose weight. Some people simply do without carbohydrates to quickly lose extra pounds. According to a nutrition expert, such low-carb diets are not healthy.
Quickly lose a few pounds
Many people are preparing for the new year to lose a few pounds, eat healthier and do more sports. When asked whether less fat or less carbohydrates is suitable for losing weight quickly, scientific research has shown again and again that low-carb performs better than low-fat. It is clear that you can achieve a rapid weight loss by eliminating carbohydrates. However, it is questionable whether it is also healthy to completely erase bread, noodles and rice from the menu.
Love Carb Diets are only partially recommended for health reasons. (Image: designer491 / fotolia.com) Carbohydrates are "not essential"
That it is possible explained Andreas Pfeiffer of the German Institute for Nutritional Research (DIfE) in Potsdam. According to news agency dpa, he said, "In principle, you can live without any carbohydrates because they are not essential." For example, the Inuit, an indigenous ethnic group that lives mainly in Canada, are traditionally carbohydrate-free. They only eat egg whites and fats. Pfeiffer advises against such diets, however. It is not healthy to do without carbohydrates completely. The body is used to fiber and vitamins from products such as cereals. About half of the food should, according to the expert's advice, consist of carbohydrates. "If you can, it's mainly slow-absorbing carbohydrates." These are found in wholegrain whole-grain breads, for example. "Once grains are ground, they are no longer absorbable slowly," says Pfeiffer.
Legumes better than rice or potatoes
Beans, peas and other legumes also provide long-absorbed carbohydrates. According to Pfeiffer, they are also a good complement to a healthy, balanced diet because of the micronutrients, vitamins and fiber. On the other hand, products with a lot of starch, such as rice, white bread and potatoes are less suitable. The carbohydrates contained in it, according to the expert quickly absorbed and quickly became hungry again. "As a healthy, lean person, eating is less of a problem as you burn carbohydrates," said Pfeiffer. But people with high blood pressure, a lipid metabolism disorder or diabetes should rather do without such carbohydrate suppliers. (Ad)