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Low-carb newbies often give up too soon
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The earlier stages of a low-carb diet are euphoric for a newbie. The body has switched from an insulin-driven system, which stores fat, to a glucagon-driven system, which causes the fat cells to open and release stored fat to burn for energy. The ketone test strips are a pleasing purple, the pants are becoming looser, and the weight is, pound by pound, packing its bags and heading for Miami. Everything seems to be humming along just fine, and then BAM! The dreaded stall. Weight loss comes to a screeching halt, and it's difficult for the newbie not to become discouraged and give up. Unfortunately, it's not just the newbies who succumb to dietary despair.One of the pitfalls of the low-carb lifestyle is that we can become a victim of "carb/calorie creep." When Dr. Atkins' ideas hit the mainstream, there were very few processed low-carb items available. It's very easy for the newbie (and not-so-newbie) to start incorporating low-carb junk foods into his or her diet. When we make low-carb brownies, cakes, cookies, and candies a major food group, we stop eating the healthy saturated fats, meats, and low-starch veggies that make our diet so beneficial. Also, just the thought of eating those "legal" sweets can make the body release insulin, even when no carb is involved. Perhaps we are eating more than our bodies need.
A high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb diet is very satiating, and keeps the insulin at bay. For many people, a low-fat, high-carb diet triggers insulin, causing monster cravings, fat storage, and lousy lipid panels. But a low-carb diet is not a license to eat 5,000 calories a day, unless the low-carber runs marathons for fun. For most of us, "running" is what we do when we eat too many sugar alcohols.
For more info: See Dr. Michael Eades' excellent post on the low-carb lifestyle and calories.
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