UNT professor warns about the drawbacks of popular low carbohydrate diets

High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets have recently become extremely popular. Restaurants, grocery stores and even vending machines are now catering to the low-carb craze. But according to Juliet Getty, associate professor and nutritionist in the School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management, the diet is unbalanced, unhealthy and even potentially dangerous.

"People lose weight on the diet for several reasons," Getty says, "One, a lot of water is lost. Two, muscle mass is broken down to provide blood sugar, or glucose, that the body needs for fuel and that normally would come from carbohydrates. And, three, the diet itself is low in calories. Any diet that is low in calories is going to result in weight loss."

However, Getty says, those results are temporary since the diet causes the body's metabolic rate to slow down.

"Consequently, weight gain is inevitable once the dieter returns to old eating patterns," she says. "Our bodies need carbohydrates. The problem is that for most people, carbohydrates come from refined sources. A good rule of thumb is that if it's white and it's not cauliflower, don't eat it." 

Getty suggests choosing whole grain cereals, whole grain breads, fruits and vegetables, legumes (beans, lentils, soy), nuts and seeds because these are "power foods" that not only provide fuel but protect the body from cancers, heart disease and digestive problems, and provide a whole host of other benefits.

"If this doesn't convince you," Getty says, "consider this — eating mainly protein from animal sources results in bad breath and constipation."

BY RUFUS COLEMAN rcoleman@unt.edu

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