One of the most famous low carb diets is the Atkins diet, but Atkins isn't the only diet that offers a diet planned around lower carbohydrates and more protein and fat. The South Beach diet, the Hollywood diet and Protein Power are just a few of the other plans available. Before you get started on a low carb diet, it's important to spend time studying each diet plan so you can choose the right one for you. A low carb diet cuts back dramatically on foods high in carbohydrates and sugar and focuses on foods high in protein and fat. The theory behind low carb diets is that carbohydrates create high insulin levels, which in turn keep fat from burning. If you are interested in how to do a low carb diet, please read on for more information.

• Many people are shocked when they learn that low carb diets encourage fat consumption, having been led to believe all their lives that fat equals fat. Low carb diets encourage the body to use fat to create energy. Dietitians who encourage this plan also believe that in lowering the amount of insulin the body creates, the body will burn fat more quickly.

Looking for Low Carb Recipes? Check out these Mahalo pages for more great ideas to add to your Low Carb Meal Plan

• How to Make Low Carb Quiche
• How to Make Low Carb Pizza
• How to Make Low Carb Appetizers
• How to Have a Low Carb Thanksgiving
• How to Make Diabetic Desserts

• Low carb diets are very strict about what you can and cannot eat. Cutting out carbohydrates means saying farewell to:

1. Pasta
2. Potatoes
3. White flour (cake, donutes, breads, etc.)
4. Sugar
5. Rice

• Your diet will consist of foods high in protein and fat, like:

1. Meat
2. Poultry
3. Fish
4. Nuts
5. Fruit
6. Vegetables
7. Dairy

• When starting a new diet, it's important to make slow changes, instead of diving in all at once. Spend time researching the types of foods you can and cannot have on a low carb diet and begin planning menus. Planning your menu will help you limit what you put into the cart at the grocery store.

• Join a diet support group. Search the internet for open forums and support groups that centralize around low carbohydrate diets. Having a group of people who can relate to your experience and support you on your journey to a new you will help you keep your diet goals in perspective.

• As with any diet, there are risks involved in the low carb diet.

1. Long term ingestion of high levels of saturated fat may increase risk of heart disease.
2. Essential vitamins may be missing.Review the plan choice with your doctor for what impact may be on other health issues you have.
3. It is believed that long term dieters could experience problems with kidneys, bone loss and liver.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional nutritional or medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.