Atkins, South Beach, Zone, Go Lower and Primal Blueprint are all well known diets that follow the same idea that restricting carbohydrates leads to weight loss. But do these diets really work?
In brief the science behind the low carbohydrate diet is due to the blood sugar levels in the body. When a carbohydrate is ingested it is broken down in the gastrointestinal system to glucose, a simple sugar and absorbed into the blood stream. This simple sugar is used as the body’s primary energy source. The increased blood sugar in turn releases the storage hormone Insulin from the pancreas. Insulin holds onto a glucose molecule, taking it into a body cell and storing it there until it is used as energy. However if the body does not require energy then the stored sugar will lead to weight gain.
Cutting back on carbohydrates means that the body has no immediate energy and therefore turns to the break down of fat or protein to use as energy. Utilising fat stores as energy mean that weight loss can result.
For an easy low carbohydrate, high fibre, high protein TASTY snack try making these simple chocolate biscuits.
Ingredients: (makes 12)
· 4 oz chocolate protein powder (whey or soya works well)
· 2 oz pure wheat bran (available cheaply from health food stores)
· 4 oz low fat cream cheese
· 0.75 oz sweetener
· 1 tsp vanilla essence
· 1 egg
· Toppings are desired (I used almond butter, coconut and cocoa)
1. Pre-heat oven to 180oC
2. In a bowl mix together protein, wheat bran, cream cheese, sweetener and vanilla essence
3. Beat egg and add to mixture
4. Stir all ingredients until a smooth mixture, a small amount of water may be needed
5. Roll into small balls and flatten onto a baking tray
6. Top with desired toppings, (coconut, nut butters, seeds, cocoa, almonds, cashews, orange extract, lemon extract...)
7. Bake for 12 minutes in preheated over
Please note that if you are not used to eating fibre rich foods it is vital that you increase your fluid intakes to avoid constipation.
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