3 Risk Factors of Low-Carb Dieting

One of the most common reasons people gravitate towards low-carb dieting...it’s effective for weight loss.

It’s one reason the Atkins Diet has been followed by millions of people for more than 60 years. Cutting carbs to promote weight loss works.

When you limit your carbohydrate intake to 100 grams or less (even as little as 20 grams of carbs), per day, you force your body to look for another energy source...fat.

Eat fewer carbs. Make room for more protein and healthy fats. That’s how you strip away excess pounds on a low-carb diet. And it works, but it comes with some risks.

Research suggests prolonged low-carb diet can increase the risk for:

1. High cholesterol

The fatty substance that can attach to artery walls, limit blood flow, and raise the risk for a heart attack or stroke. However, research suggests in the short-term (less than two years), low-carb diet may actually help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

2. Kidney problems. Eating more protein puts added stress on your kidneys to process fish, meat, dairy products, nuts and seeds, and legumes that contain protein. If you already have kidney problems, going low-carb may not be a good idea.

3. Excess calcium loss. When you stick to a low-carb diet, you’re eating higher amounts of protein. Some research suggests dieting this way causes the body to lose more calcium when you urinate. The result: an increased risk for kidney stones and poor bone health.

If you’re thinking about low-carb dieting to lose weight, or maintain your weight, be mindful of cutting carbs. Yes, it’s an effective way to tip the scale in the right direction. But it’s important to be smart about it.

13 New Low Carb Complete Meals

Need a little help figuring out how to follow a Low-Carb Diet? Check out the complete list of our low-carb frozen foods on the menu, including these 13 new meals made from fresh ingredients:

• Beef Burger with Seasoned Potatoes & Green Beans
• Beef Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots
• Beef with Mushroom Gravy, Roasted Potatoes & Carrots
• Beef with Red Wine Sauce, Red Diced Potatoes, Okra & Corn
• Beef with Salsa Verde, Mashed Potatoes & Brussel Sprouts
• Breaded Chicken Florentine with Mashed Potatoes and Carrots
• Breaded Chicken Stuffed with Broccoli & Cheese with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes & Spinach
• Cheese Omelet with Roasted Potatoes
• Crunchy Breaded Fish Mac & Cheese and Brussel Sprouts
• Egg Patty with Onions & Peppers and Roasted Potatoes- Individual Meal
• Scrambled Eggs over Creamy Polenta with Peppers & Creole Jambalaya Sauce
• Salisbury Steak with Sauce, Sweet Mashed Potatoes & Broccoli
• White Meat Chicken with Country Gravy, Mashed Potatoes & Collard Greens