23 Sep Top Ten Reasons to Go Low-Carb

Low-Carb High-Fat (LCHF) eating is revolutionising the way we think about dieting; more and more of our health-conscious fans have been exploring the Paleo or Banting lifestyle, which cuts way down on carbohydrates and sugars, and focuses on the consumption of healthy fats and proteins. If you’re wondering why anybody would give up that morning slice of toast or coffee-break doughnut, here are ten excellent reasons why going low-carb is so good for your whole system.

1. Curbing Cravings

The worst thing about conventional dieting is, without a doubt, the constant feeling of hunger and all those pesky food cravings that crop up when you start restricting your food intake. On a Paleo/ LCHF eating plan however, you’ll be cutting out the foods that are most responsible for your daily cravings – ie carbs and sugars. People following a balanced low-carb diet typically consume fewer calories but don’t feel hungry or deprived like people on carb-heavy diets. This is one of the reasons Banting has proven so effective for weight loss.

(Pssst… Still craving that morning toast? Check out our Life Bake grain-free bread range! These beauties are flying off the shelves faster than we can bring them in.)

2. Banish your Belly

Of course having a healthy physique isn’t just about losing excess weight, but also about where you’re losing it. LCHF eating specifically helps to reduce abdominal fat – ie subcutaneous fat around our major organs. Losing abdominal fat can help prevent maladies like insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction – and you’ll feel fabulous about having a trimmer, flatter belly!

3. Tame the Triglygerides

The fat molecules in your blood, known as triglycerides, need to be kept in check; the higher your triglyceride levels, the higher your risk of cardiovascular disease. Elevated triglyceride levels are usually the result of a diet high in carbohydrates and sugars like fructose; when you cut down on carbs, your blood-triglyceride levels decrease significantly, which is great news for your heart.

4. HDL vs LDL

High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), also known as “good” cholesterol, increases when you consume the healthy fats recommended by the LCHF eating plan. The diet also helps to lower the levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) in your bloodstream, byt converting small LDL molecules into larger benign molecules. This healthy cholesterol balance is another essential factor for a happy heart.

5. No More Sugar Rush

When we eat carbs, our body breaks them down into sugars (mostly glucose), spiking your blood sugar levels and triggering your body’s insulin response. But by cutting out carbs, you reduce your body’s need for insulin, and both blood sugar and insulin levels will decrease. LCHF is a really beneficial diet for diabetics and pre-diabetics.

6. Limiting Fructose

Your body digests fructose differently to other carbohydrates; over-consumption of fructose can lead to type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity. LCHF eating automatically cuts out sugary fruits and other foods that are high in fructose.

7. Easing the Pressure

Eating low-carb doesn’t just help to lower blood sugar; it also decreases blood pressure, helping to relieve hypertension (high blood pressure). This protects your system against heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.

8. Cut the CRP

C-reactive protein (CRP) in the bloodstream is a marker of inflammation; this protein is also associated with a higher risk of heart disease. Carbohydrate restriction has been shown to lower CRP levels, reducing inflammatory illnesses and promoting a healthy heart.

9. Digestive Health

The fibre in LCHF diets comes from low-carb plant sources like coconuts and tree nuts. This healthy dietary fibre intake helps to prevent bloating and gas, and promote a healthy digestive system.

10. Fewer Allergens

The diet removes or limits common food allergens like gluten and grains; the anti-inflammatory effects of the LCHF diet can also help to ease the symptoms of existing allergies.

If this list has convinced you to go low-carb – or at least got you curious about it – check out our fantastic Paleo foods category and our vegetarian Paleo recipes for some organic inspiration!