Low carb diets have been around since the 1960's and are currently one of the most popular ways to lose weight. This is evident by the astounding number of meal replacement bars and shakes on the market especially formulated for low carb dieters. You probably even know several people who have had great success with low carb diets and maybe others who had a terrible experience and didn't lose a single pound. Perhaps you're thinking of trying it but you just can't decide because you're afraid it will be a waste of time and money. Finding a diet that works for you can be tricky. You have to consider several important factors including the most important one, your ability to commit to it's restrictions or requirements. Here are the most important things to consider about low carb diets.

Low Carb Plans Are Not Created Equal
Certain low carb plans restrict you to 30-50g of carbohydrates a day. The amount in two apples. Others allow about 100g a day which is more reasonable. Then there are those that get very picky about which types of carbs you can eat, allowing some vegetable but no fruit. If you love fruit or complex carbs then a diet like this could be disastrous. You may end up feeling terribly deprived and binge on those foods that are off limits. Even worst you may start thinking that carrotts, bread, and potatos are bad for you, you're bad for cheating, and this is just not the case. Learn everything you need to know about Carbs & Weightloss.

Let Your Activity Level Guide You
Let's say you find a plan you can work with and you feel strongly committed. The next factor to consider is how much you exercise. If you are a couch potato then eating low carb will not affect you in the least but if you exercise regularly it could be a major problem. Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of energy and the premise behind a lot of these plans is that if you reduce your carb intake your body will look to other sources of energy such as stored body fat. The problem is that restricting carbs can really do a number on your energy levels leaving you too fatigued to workout. Both endurance and strength athletes require at least 50% of their daily calories from carbs so if working out is important to you forget about eating low carb.

Restricting Calories Too Much Can Backfire
Some low carb plans are also very low calorie (around 1000 calories per day). Most people require at least 1300 calories a day just to survive so 1000 is certainly not enough for very active individuals who may require closer to 2000 calories. Cutting back that drastically may produce some weightloss but not for long. Your body will soon begin to sense that your calorie intake is inadequate for the amount of calorie output and will go into starvation mode hanging on to every ounce of fat. If you manage to lose any weight it will be all muscle mass and water and this is not what you want.

Personal Preference Matters A Lot!
Nobody should have to give up their favorite foods especially if it's a certain fruit or vegetable or even bread. It may seem harmless at first but what happens after you lose all the weight and you reintroduce that food into your diet? You guessed it, you WILL gain the weight back. If you are able to cut out certain foods and then continue to eat them in moderation once you're off the plan then no problem. If you go from eating several slices of bread to none at all then back again regaining is just inevitable. You have to work with your preferences in order to lose it permanently.

Keeping all those things in mind when deciding whether to low carb it or not will save you time, energy, and money. Be smart about what you read. If you want to try a drastic low carb plan be sure you know the facts and how it will affect you. Read about the Atkins 4 phase process.

Recommended Reading:A low-carbohydrate eating plan that works in the real world. It allows you many of your favorite foods, like pasta, grains, and potatoes. It contains adequate calories, so you don't experience hunger pangs or miss out on important nutrients. And it isn't dangerously high in fat, so you won't increase your risk of developing heart disease.
Lose Weight the Smart Low-Carb Way