WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Health Alert: Low-carb diet tips

Health Alert: Low-carb diet tips

(National) Jan. 4, 2005 - Forty million Americans count carbs to control their weight, and registered dietician Molly Kimball says that's good news, "I like the fact that the lower-carb diets are getting people aware of these refined carbs that are in their diet."

But, she ways not all is well in the land of low-carb. Kimball says common mistakes ruin potential weight loss. Not counting sugar alcohols as carbs is a big one, "Sugar alcohols are basically a type of carbohydrate that is not completely broken down. It's not completely digested." But, they do affect insulin levels, so they should not be ignored.

More than 1000 low-carb foods have hit the shelves in the last five years, which brings us to the next mistake, counting carbs but not calories, "The calories that they had initially cut out they're just putting right back in with these low-carb versions of the traditional foods." A serving of a low-carb ice cream, for instance, has twice the fat as many regular ice creams.

Doctor Dean Ornish, a researcher and author, says another mistake is cutting out fiber and essential vitamins, "It's not only what you exclude from your diet but also what you include in your diet that's important." He says fruits, veggies, grains and beans are needed to fight cancer and heart disease.

Finally, the all-or-nothing mentality can curb any dieter's success, "They're either on a low-carb diet, or they're completely devouring the bread basket, so finding that middle-ground is important for people to be able to stay with something long-term."

So, the experts advise, get savvy about the carbs in your cart and make weight loss an easier mission to accomplish.

Low-carb diets are not for everyone. Children, teenagers, pregnant women and people who are very active should avoid them.

For more information contact Katherine Voss at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation by calling 504-842-2225 or emailing kvoss@ochsner.org.

by Dawn Mercer

posted 1:34pm by Chris Rees