Low Fat and Low Carbohydrate Dieting Offer Different Solutions to One Problem

Low fat and low carbohydrate dieting offer different solutions to one problem; however, they use different methods that have varying affects on health and weight loss. Limiting fat or limiting carbohydrates are among a list of options available to those seeking to lose weight. With a CDC estimate of 68.8% of Americans that are overweight or obese, turning point for many is found through popular fad dieting programs such as the low carbohydrate diet of Atkins and low fat diet found in Weight Watchers. The results are said to speak for themselves, but further understanding of the long term results and impact on physical health and well-being are required to make an informed decision on which diet works best for you. (Cynthia L. Ogden, Margaret D. Carroll, & Brian K. Kit, 2012)

While considering either of these two options for weight loss it is important to understand the basic concepts of each, in order to grasp how they accomplish their results. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (2006), “Low-carbohydrate diets restrict caloric intake by reducing the consumption of carbohydrates to 20 to 60 grams per day”. Carbohydrates are a source of energy for the body and come from various sources of fruit, grains, and vegetables.”

Carbohydrates consumed by the body are broken down as glucose and stored throughout the body as an energy reserve. Excess carbohydrates are converted as fat and also stored. Low carbohydrate dieting limits the amount of carbohydrates consumed and so limits the amount of energy reserves in the form of glucose. Lacking enough glucose the body begins to consume fat for energy causing weight loss. In diet programs like Atkins, carbohydrates make up between 5 to 20 percent of the total caloric intake depending on the phase of the program you are in. Carbohydrates are replaced by fats and proteins for the daily caloric intake.

Low fat dieting approach to weight loss is the reduction of fat consumption. Fat contains 9...