The low-carb craze has calmed considerably in the past few years, but this once-popular eating plan is still stirring up controversy. One reader asks, “is low-carb healthy?”
And the answer is…
Yes and no. In reality, the healthiness of any diet plan depends on the execution.
In lieu of starches, sugars and other foods high in digestible carbohydrates, the low-carb diet typically consists of foods high in protein and fat, from sources such as fish, eggs, poultry, red meat, beans, nuts and cheese.
But it’s not an open invitation to binge on processed beef products, fatty cheeses and hoardes of low-carb snacks.
If you’re considering a low-carb eating plan, here are some tips to help keep it healthy:
- Choose (unprocessed) lean proteins such as poultry or fish over red meat, which can be high in saturated fat
- Eat plenty of green veggies ““ asparagus, broccoli, green beans, spinach, etc.
- Get plenty of fiber from fruits, veggies and beans
- Drink lots of water
- Everything in moderation ““ limit intake of fatty cheeses, nuts and low-carb snacks sweetened with sugar alcohols