High-Protein, Low-Calorie Diets for Bodybuilders

Drawbacks of a Low-Carb or Low-Calorie Diet

• Some opposition to low-carb diets exists. People are concerned that:
  
  • Many protein-filled and fatty diets have a lot of saturated fats, and that can increase cholesterol levels.
  • Whole grains can lower blood pressure; therefore, diets without the grain can increase blood pressure.
  • A lot of extra protein in your diet can cause the loss of calcium and lead to osteoporosis.
  • Low-carb diets can cause headaches, diarrhea and constipation.
  • As your brain needs glucose to function properly, diets with little sugars or carbs can make your brain function at a lower level.
  • On a low-carb diet, because the diuretic effect may cause a person to lose weight fast, he may get it back when off the diet.
  
  On this type of diet, a person may feel satiated but lack energy. He may then suffer from headaches and fatigue. On the other hand, followers of this type of diet say that it's the body's way of readjusting and that after a while, everything works out fine.
  
  

Benefits of a Low-Carb Diet

• Low-carb diets result in a quicker weight loss than fasting. They help the body maintain a normal metabolic rate while burning fat. Bodybuilders like these types of diets because they leave plenty of room for added protein intake.
  
  

How to Get Started

• Drink plenty of water, because constipation may occur at first. Take supplements, including fiber; don't eat any pastries or sugar; avoid caffeine and more than 30g of carbs a day; avoid saturated fats; use a carb counter and exercise.
  
  Most of us have been consuming vast quantities of carbohydrates our entire lives. Once your body has adjusted, even if it's taken a while, benefits will most likely outweigh the disadvantages. As with any changes in diet, start slow, adjust if necessary, and watch your reactions.