Low Carb Diet!

A low-carb diet allows you to restrict carbohydrate intake while your body switches from burning carbohydrates for fuel to burning your own body fat. The initial phase of most low-carb diets involves carbohydrate restriction, and weight loss is often the most prevalent during this time. As carbohydrates are slowly re-introduced to the diet, you may experience a stall, or plateau, in your weight loss.

Nutritional Supplements

When on a low-carb diet such as Atkins or South Beach, you may be depleting your body of certain vitamins and minerals -- this could contribute to a plateau in your weight loss. It is important to include a supplement in your diet, especially if you are in the phase of restricting carbs to fewer than 20 grams per day. Making sure that you get adequate minerals, vitamins and fiber is important for overall health. With carb restriction, you may lose out on consuming the right amount of fiber, vitamins and minerals through your diet. Supplements such as vitamin C and E, as well as zinc and selenium, help to support a healthy immune system and keep your metabolism going throughout each dieting phase.

Ketosis is where the body begins to spill ketones into the bloodstream. Ketones can be found in urine and with low-carb dieters, signal that your body is in fat-burning mode. Ketones present in the urine can also be observed in diabetics who have extremely high blood glucose levels. Ketosis with a low-carb follower has nothing to do with blood sugar levels. If you are restricting your carbohydrates, or slowly introducing carbohydrates into your diet, you may want to check your urine for ketones. Sticks that measure ketone levels can be purchased through your local pharmacy. The deeper the color is on the stick, the more ketones in your urine and the more weight loss you should expect. If there is no presence of ketones, you should re-evaluate your diet and your carbohydrate intake to determine the cause of your stalled weight loss.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates offer fuel and energy for your body to get through the day. With a low-carb diet, that role is switched. Carbohydrates are omitted as much as possible in order for the body to transition to use its own fat for energy. With a low-carb diet, you are often permitted to eat as much protein or meat as you like. There are carbohydrate foods that are allowed in extreme moderation, such as leafy vegetables, non-starchy vegetables and eventually, berries and nuts. If you have begun to add these to your diet or are adding more carbohydrates daily -- even adding only 10 g a day, this could be affecting your weight loss. You may have to go back on ketosis or carbohydrate restriction to get your body back in a fat-burning mode again.

Water Intake

Drinking plenty of water while on a low-carbohydrate diet is essential for weight loss. This will help you flush out toxins and fat while at the same time hydrating your body and muscles. You should get at least eight 8 oz. glasses per day, and more, if you are working out. Having a hydrated body helps keep your metabolism working strong and may prevent or help with a stall in your low-carb weight loss.