There’s an equal amount of confusion and hype surrounding low-carb diets. Research shows low-carb diets can be an effective way to shed pounds — although not necessarily superior to weight reduction results achieved by other diets, such as a low-fat or reduced-calorie diets. But, most low-carb eating plans aren’t as straightforward as the name might have you believe.
“A low-carbohydrate diet can have a wide, unclear definition,” says Holly Klamer, M.S., R.D., “but in general terms, it means following a diet that has less than 45–65 percent of [total daily] calories from carbohydrates.” The recommended carbohydrate range for adults, according to the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, is 45–65 percent of total daily calories.
Some low-carb diets, like the modern Atkins diet, for example, limits trans fat and sugar in addition to carbs, while a ketogenic diet drastically reduces carbs and replaces them with fats. In general, however, most low-carb diets focus on limiting refined grains and starches (like white bread, pasta, and potatoes) in favor of lean protein, whole grains, non-starchy veggies, and low-glycemic fruits.
But with so much varying information out there, it can be easy to misinterpret a low-carb diet or to implement its principles in an extreme or unsustainable way.
The intention behind a low-carb diet — to reduce the amount of unhealthy carbs you consume on a regular basis — isn’t inherently dangerous, but you need to be smart about how you execute it. Here are common mistakes to avoid.
7 Common Low-Carb Diet Mistakes
1. Ignoring the nutritional value of carbs
Carbs aren’t the enemy. There are plenty of nutritious and super yummy carbohydrates you can and should be eating in moderation. Think: fruit, whole grains, beans, and vegetables, to name a few.
These foods provide our bodies with the natural, sustained energy we need to function and stay active. “A carbohydrate-dense fruit such as a banana can give you the fuel you need to increase the intensity of your workout; [you might] burn more calories [as a result],” says Klamer.
High-quality carbs are also chock-full of vital nutrients like B vitamins, potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. Klamer says reducing your carbohydrate intake to super low levels puts you at risk for deficiencies in these areas.
2. Eating too much unhealthy fat
Eating low-carb isn’t an excuse to go nuts on beef, pork, eggs, butter, cheese, and other foods with high trans or saturated fat content.
Eating a diet high in trans fat isn’t heart-healthy, says Sharon George, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. Consuming high levels of trans fat may cause your liver to produce more LDL cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, too much “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and not enough “good” cholesterol (HDL) may put you at risk for certain types of disease.
In fact, one study carried out by the Harvard School of Public Health found that a low-carb diet high in animal protein (dairy and meat) was associated with higher all-cause mortality, while a low-carb diet high in plant protein (veggies, tofu, lentils, etc.) and lower in trans fat was associated with lower all-cause mortality rates.
Monitoring saturated fat intake is also an approach to maintaining good cardiovascular health. One review of research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated the issue of what to replace saturated fat with in the diet. Researchers found that substituting saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats and limiting consumption of refined carbohydrates may be beneficial for overall health.
The overall takeaway: Cut back on trans and saturated fat consumption while also reducing refined carbs (think: white bread, pasta, rice, sugary pastries, cookies, etc.). Instead, eat healthy fats, such as mono- and polyunsaturated fats, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Great sources of these types of fats include fatty fish like salmon, flaxseeds, walnuts, avocados, seeds, nuts, and extra-virgin olive oil.
3. Misunderstanding portion sizes
If you don’t have a basic idea of portion sizes — say, what a single portion of brown rice or steel-cut oats actually looks like — you’re likely to either over- or underestimate how much food you need. Understanding portion sizes can help prevent overeating while also ensuring you consume enough nutrients to fuel your body properly.
For a crash course in portion sizes, check out Beachbody’s Portion Fix Eating Plan, which provides color-coded containers that make it super easy to meal plan and lose weight.
Denis Faye, M.S. and Beachbody’s senior director of nutrition, says the Portion Fix plan advocates for a healthy balance of macronutrients: 30 percent of your total daily calories from protein, 30 percent from healthy fats, and 40 percent from carbs — the majority of which should be unprocessed and unrefined.
“By going with 40-percent carbs, we’re able to make the majority of carbs [in the plan] produce-based without crushing people [who are] new to healthy eating under a kale, broccoli, and mixed berry avalanche,” says Faye.
There are three containers for carbs in the portion control system: purple is for fruits, green is for veggies, and yellow is for other carbs like whole grains. You fill each one up with its corresponding foods anywhere from two to six times a day, depending on your predetermined calorie target range. No measuring or overthinking necessary.
Faye also notes that the 40-percent carbs guideline isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. “Starting your diet at 40-percent carbs… allows you to experiment and increase your carbs to a level that best works for you, which is much easier than trying to slowly reduce carbs to find your sweet spot,” says Faye.
4. Overdoing it on protein
“Getting enough protein is hugely important for both health reasons and because it aids muscle recovery,” says Faye. (Protein breaks down into amino acids, says Faye, which are the building blocks of muscle).
Eating less carbs certainly means you’ll need to eat more protein (especially if you want to crush your workouts), but it’s important not to go overboard.
“When [your] carbohydrate intake is significantly decreased, the body starts breaking down stored carbohydrate sources [glycogen, for energy],” says Klamer. “When these stores get depleted, the body will start altering fat and protein to make carbohydrates.”
Gluconeogenesis (which literally means “creating new sugar”) is the metabolic process by which the liver converts non-carbohydrate sources (like fats, amino acids, and lactate) into glucose to regulate blood sugar levels.
Gluconeogenesis usually occurs when your body doesn’t have sufficient carbohydrates to properly fuel your brain and muscles.
Amino acids (the building blocks of protein) can’t be stored for long-term energy, which means the body has to convert this excess protein into either glucose or fat storage, possibly negating the effect of eating low-carb and making it more difficult to lose weight.
To avoid getting too much of a good thing, aim for protein to make up a solid 30 percent of your diet, not half. For ideas, check out these eight healthy, high-protein snacks for when you’re on the go.
5. Not considering activity level when determining carb intake
“Carbs are fuel. They’re massively important and the body is super efficient at processing them, which is a blessing and a curse,” says Faye. “If you get the right amount [of carbs], they’re the ideal fuel for exercise, health — even for fueling your brain.”
But what is the ideal amount? That depends, in part, on your level of activity and how much weight you want to lose. If you exercise a few times a week and make a point to move often throughout the day, you probably don’t need more than 40 percent of your daily calories from carbs. This amount ensures you get enough carbs to energize and fuel your body, but not so many that you can’t burn them off through regular exercise and your daily 10,000 steps.
Just remember, the carbs you eat should be of the clean, whole-grain variety: fruit, vegetables, quinoa, sweet potatoes, or wild rice, for example.
6. Eating too many carbs
Just as it’s possible to eat too few carbs when starting a low-carb diet, it’s also possible to eat too many. What constitutes an excess of carbs varies for each individual depending on metabolism and activity level, but in general, consuming more than 45 percent of your total daily calories from carbs isn’t technically a low-carb diet plan, according to the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
If carbs make up half or the majority of your food consumption, you may be missing out on other essential macronutrients like lean protein and healthy fats. Protein is necessary for building muscle, and healthy fats provide our bodies with energy, aid in nutrient absorption, and facilitate cell growth and function.
7. Eating too many processed low-carb foods
Just because a food is low-carb doesn’t mean it’s automatically healthy. Highly processed foods like bacon, certain deli meats, and low-carb snack bars don’t have many carbohydrates, but they’re often loaded with excess sodium, trans fats, and other additives.
Eating low-carb foods with refined and processed ingredients may not provide you with the nutrients you need to feel satisfied and energized. Before you load your shopping cart or plate with any item that has a low-carb label, pause first to consider the quality of the food in front of you. If an item has refined grains, artificial additives, added sugar, or ingredients you can’t pronounce or wouldn’t cook with at home, it’s probably highly processed.
Whenever possible, choose whole or minimally processed carbs. “Naturally occurring carbohydrates like the ones found in whole foods such as whole grains, dairy like yogurt and milk, and fruits and vegetables, provide important nutrients,” says Gorin. Among those nutrients are fiber, protein, and: “[heart-healthy] vitamins and minerals,” Gorin says.
How to Reduce Your Carb Intake in a Healthy, Sustainable Way
1. Cut back on less healthy carbs first
“If you’re looking to reduce carbohydrate intake,” says Gorin, “I recommend reducing the types of carbs that aren’t beneficial — [like] processed foods that contain added sugars and refined [grains].”
Items such as soda, candy, desserts, chips, and other processed foods don’t supply your body with enough vital nutrients. You don’t need to completely nix these foods from your diet, though (unless you want to!).
Instead, aim to enjoy them sparingly and with smart modifications. With Beachbody’s Portion Fix Eating Plan, for example, you can indulge in the occasional treat made at home using whole foods and natural ingredients, such as unsweetened applesauce, pure maple syrup, or extra-virgin coconut oil, to make treats like peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, strawberry lemonade bars, or red velvet cupcakes.
2. Go slowly
Adopting new eating habits takes time and patience, which is why it’s important to go slowly and be realistic about your expectations for weight loss.
“Many people get discouraged when starting a low-carb diet because it can take weeks to see results [from actual fat loss],” says George. Though you might see a lower number on the scale in the first week of eating low-carb, this change is probably a result of losing water weight. The process of shedding fat and gaining muscle, however, might be more gradual. If that’s the case, try not to get discouraged. Continue to avoid processed, refined carbs and sugar, and opt for whole foods and fruits and veggies instead.
3. Choose carbs with more nutritional value
“If you are choosing to eat less carbs, it is important to make the carbs you do eat as nutritious as possible,” says Klamer. Try to eat low-glycemic, high-fiber carbs whenever you can.
Low-glycemic carbs such as legumes, nuts, sweet potatoes, berries, and green apples help stabilize blood sugar levels and provide longer-lasting energy, says Klamer.
For more fiber and nutrients, Klamer recommends whole-grain bread, whole-wheat pasta, and brown or wild rice. Other fiber-rich foods include black beans, lentils, broccoli, barley, artichokes, and raspberries.
High-Quality, Nutrient-Rich Carbs
Not sure which carbs to enjoy? Check out our list of pre-approved, healthy, and totally delicious carbs from the Beachbody Portion Fix Eating Plan. Feel free to modify according to the Beachbody nutrition plan that accompanies the program you’re doing.
- Sweet potato
- Yams
- Quinoa
- Beans (kidney, black, garbanzo, white, lima, fava, etc.)
- Lentils
- Edamame
- Peas
- Refried beans, nonfat
- Brown rice
- Wild rice
- Potato, mashed or 1/2 medium
- Corn on the cob, 1 ear
- Amaranth
- Millet
- Buckwheat
- Barley
- Bulgur
- Oatmeal, steel-cut
- Oatmeal, rolled
- Pasta, whole-grain
- Couscous, whole wheat
- Crackers, whole grain, 8 small crackers
- Cereal, whole grain, low sugar
- Bread, whole grain, 1 slice
- Pita bread, whole wheat, 1 small slice (4-inch)
- Waffles, whole grain, 1 waffle
- Pancakes, whole grain, 1 small pancake (4-inch)
- English muffin, whole-grain, 1/2 muffin
- Bagel, whole-grain, 1/2 small bagel (3-inch)
- Tortilla, whole wheat, 1 small (6-inch)
- Tortilla, corn, 2 small (6-inch)
The 20-Second Takeaway
Many people who start low-carb diets take them to extreme measures, and can end up drastically reducing their carb intake, consuming large amounts of unhealthy fats, or not incorporating enough nutrient-rich carb sources into their meals.
That doesn’t mean low-carb diets are bad, though — they can be an effective weight-loss strategy, but you need to be thoughtful about the approach you take.
In general, focus on limiting processed and refined carbs, and eating more high-quality carbs from whole grains, fruits, and veggies. You’ll gradually lose weight and get all the nutrients you body needs to thrive.
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