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Is Eating Less Than 100 Carbohydrates a Day Considered Low Carb?
Low-carbohydrate diet plans involve reducing the number of carbs eaten on a daily basis. Two of the most popular diet plans, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, are the Atkins plan and the South Beach Diet. The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults and children over the age of 2 consume 130 g of carbohydrate per day.
Low-Carb Plans
The initial stage of the Atkins diet requires a reduction in carbohydrates to 20 g per day. After a few weeks on the plan, participants can increase their carb intake to 60 g per day. On the South Beach Diet, participants must reduce their carbohydrate intake to between 65 and 90 g per day after an initial phase of only 20 g per day. According to these plans, a daily diet plan consisting of less than 100 g of carbohydrates per day would be considered low-carb in the later stages of the diets.
- The initial stage of the Atkins diet requires a reduction in carbohydrates to 20 g per day.
- On the South Beach Diet, participants must reduce their carbohydrate intake to between 65 and 90 g per day after an initial phase of only 20 g per day.
Long Term Results
Can I Eat Cashews or Almonds on Atkins?
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Although low-carb diets may get you results on the scale, they're likely not the healthiest approach to weight loss. According to the National Institutes of Health, low-carb diets are likely effective in the short term because they restrict certain food groups and cause you to eat less overall. Although this will help you lose some weight early on, you're not likely to keep the weight off when you go back to your normal eating patterns. You may find it easier to follow a diet plan that allows you to eat a variety of foods. It is still possible to lose weight while eating an appropriate amount of carbohydrates.
- Although low-carb diets may get you results on the scale, they're likely not the healthiest approach to weight loss.
- According to the National Institutes of Health, low-carb diets are likely effective in the short term because they restrict certain food groups and cause you to eat less overall.
Risks
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the Atkins diet puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease because of excess saturated fat and cholesterol associated with the diet. Eating fewer than 130 g of carbohydrates per day causes a buildup of ketones in your blood. Excessive ketones – or broken-down fats – may cause a buildup of uric acid in your body, which can lead to gout. Your best bet for healthy weight loss is to stick with a diet that balances all the major food groups, especially since the long-term effects of low-carb diets have not been fully proven.
- According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the Atkins diet puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease because of excess saturated fat and cholesterol associated with the diet.
Considerations
Why Am I Not Losing Weight on South Beach?
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Always talk to your doctor before starting any diet or weight-loss program. Your doctor can help advise you about low-carb diets and what effects they could have on any medical conditions you might have. Consider hiring a licensed dietitian to help you develop a customized meal plan for weight loss.
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References
- Brouns F. Overweight and diabetes prevention: is a low-carbohydrate-high-fat diet recommendable? [published correction appears in Eur J Nutr. 2019 Apr 16;:]. Eur J Nutr. 2018;57(4):1301-1312. doi:10.1007/s00394-018-1636-y
- Hu T, Yao L, Reynolds K, et al. The effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on appetite: A randomized controlled trial. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2016;26(6):476-88. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2015.11.011
- Gardner CD, Trepanowski JF, Del Gobbo LC, Hauser ME, Rigdon J, Ioannidis JPA, Desai M, King AC. Effect of low-fat vs low-carbohydrate diet on 12-month weight loss in overweight adults and the association with genotype pattern or insulin secretion: the dietfits randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2018 Feb 20;319(7):667-679. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.0245.
- The Skinny on Low-Carb Diets. Harvard Men's Health Watch. Harvard Medical School.
- Browning JD, et al. Alterations in hepatic glucose and energy metabolism as a result of calorie and carbohydrate restriction. Hepatology. 2008 Nov;48(5):1487-96. doi:10.1002/hep.22504
- Lennerz BS et al. Effects of dietary glycemic index on brain regions related to reward and craving in men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2013 Sep;98(3):641-7. doi:10.3945/ajcn.113.064113
- Santos FL, Esteves, SS, da Costa Pereira A, Yancy WS Jr Nunes JP. Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials of the effects of low carbohydrate diets on cardiovascular risk factors. Obesity Reviews. 2012;13(11):1048-66. doi:10.1111/j.1467-789X.2012.01021.x
- Shai I, et al. Weight loss with a low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or low-fat diet. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:229-241. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0708681
Writer Bio
James Patterson specializes in health and wellness topics, having written and produced material for the National Institutes of Health, the President's Cancer Panel and an Inc. 500 Hall of Fame company. He is also a former sportswriter with writing experience in basketball, baseball, softball, golf and other popular sports.