Low-Carb Diet Facts

Most teens have met someone who has followed a low-carb diet or at least heard about low-carb diet plans such as Atkins®, Zone®, and South Beach®. Maybe you have seen or tried low-carb products such as energy bars, wraps, or bread. This guide will help answer questions about the different types of carbohydrates, how your body uses energy from carbohydrates, why carbohydrates are important, and the truth about low-carb diet claims.

What are carbohydrates?

Carbs (short for carbohydrates), are a source of energy found in grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy foods. They are stored in your muscles and liver as glycogen (your body's energy reserve) and supply your body with the glucose (sugar) it needs for energy. Carbs prevent your body from having to use stored energy (muscle or fat cells).

Carbs from the grain group are divided into two types: whole grains and refined grains. Whole grains such as whole grain breads, brown rice, and bran-containing cereals (such as Fiber One®, All Bran® and Raisin Bran®) are high in nutrients such as fiber. Fiber is heart healthy, good for digestion, and helps keep you full. Refined grains such as white bread, white rice, white pasta, and sugary cereal are not as filling or nutritious as whole grains. Try to eat high-fiber whole grains instead of low-fiber refined grains as much as possible.

Sugars are also a type of carbohydrate. Sugars taste sweet and are found in foods that have little or no nutritional value like soda, cookies, candy, and sugary cereal. Sugars are the least nutritious type of carbohydrate and you should limit the amount you eat.

Are carbs unhealthy?

No. Some people think that eating carbs will make them gain weight, but carbs, just like all other nutrients, will get stored as fat only if you eat too many of them.

Some of the reasons why carbs are healthy include:

They are found in very nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, and milk
They give your body energy
Many important nutrients come from carbohydrate foods

What are the facts about a low-carb diet?

In low-carb diets, only 15% to 20% of energy (calories) comes from carbohydrates and the other 75% to 80% of energy must come from proteins and fats. High protein diets are high in unhealthy saturated fat (found in meat, whole milk, eggs, cheese, butter, and ice cream), and this may be hard for your body to digest.

Do low-carb diets work?

A low-carb diet may help some people lose weight fast because they are eating less food, not because they aren’t eating carbs. Therefore, it is very easy to gain it back when this diet is stopped.

What is the healthiest way to eat?

Eat a variety of foods including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
Get most of your carbs from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables

In addition to eating healthy, don't forget to participate in physical activities such as running, swimming, baseball, or another activity that you enjoy.

Internet Resources

Time Magazine: The Low-Carb Diet Craze

Written by the CYWH and YMH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

Updated: 10/6/2009

Related Information:

Looking for other health info? Check our A-to-Z Index.

About Us Contact Us Disclaimer Privacy Policy Site Map Terms of Use

Health Guides By Topic Health Guides A-to-Z