Going low-carb isn’t about eating more steak.

Maybe you have a neighbor who went on alow-carb diet planand lost a lot of weight.

Or you heard about a celeb who did it for a role or to lose post-pregnancy weight.

Whatever your motivation, some believe a low-carb diet is the magic solution for weight loss.

But does it really work?

Yes, but research is mixed when comparing low-carb to low-fat diets.

Does a Low-Carb Diet Work?

“Then there’s the added benefit of reduced sugar cravings.

But simplycutting carbsdoes not guarantee you’ll lose weight.

The key is to start a low-carb diet responsibly.

That doesn’t mean noshing on all the cold cuts, steaks and cheese your heart desires.

Nor does it mean that carbs become the enemy.

You canand shouldstill eat them.

Depending on the program, how many carbs you’re advised to eat in a day varies widely.

That amount helps you maintain a balanced diet and get all your nutrients in.

It’s also more doable than following super-low-carb diets.

Their stringency can make them too difficult (and not fun) to follow.

What you eat should bring you joy.

Fruits and milk are also big sources of carbs.

Keep whole grains, dairylikeplain yogurtand milkfruit and veggies in your diet.

Rather than sweetening your oatmeal with maple syrup,use fruit.

A dollop of almond or peanut butter on a sweet potato with dinner can replace brown sugar.

One mistake is forgetting to add healthy fats to your meals.

Examples of healthy fats include avocado, nuts and seeds and olive oil.

A food diary app (like MyFitnessPal or Lose It!)

can also help you keep track of your daily carb intake.

verify to still consume carbs from healthy sources, likefruits, vegetablesand whole grains.

The Bottom Line

A low-carb diet is a good choice for some people.