Remember the trendy Atkin’s diet? The goal was to reduce dietary carbohydrates, while increasing protein and fats to help shock the body into weight loss. This diet appealed to people because it allowed them to indulge in higher fat foods such as butter and cheese without guilt. It was also the ideal diet for the meat loving carnivore. Did it work? There’s no doubt that the Atkin’s diet helped to reduce weight in people in the short term, but many failed to maintain their weight loss when they returned to a diet with normal levels of carbohydrates.

Then, the South Beach diet came along with its emphasis on low glycemic carbohydrates, giving dieters a less restrictive approach to low carb eating. But, is low carb dieting really the answer to permanent weight loss? According to a new study, a diet rich in carbohydrates may not be so bad after all. This study showed that people who ate higher levels of carbohydrates were more likely to be of normal weight than those who ate the least.

Are Diets Rich in Carbohydrates Actually Better?

They may be in the long term. In this study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Canadian researchers looked at the diets of 4,451 Canadians. They found that those who ate a diet rich in carbohydrates were more likely to be slim or of normal weight; while those who ate the least carbs were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese. They also found that the risk of obesity fell as levels of carbohydrate consumption went up. It appears from this study that a diet consisting of over fifty percent carbohydrates was the least likely to cause obesity.

Which Type of Diet Can Help Lower Weight Long Term?

There’s little doubt that an Atkin’s type diet can help lower weight short-term. Most research has shown that the Atkin’s diet does promote weight loss, at least during the first six months a person is on it. In fact, the Atkin’s diet outperforms diets rich in carbohydrates and low in fat during those first few months of dieting. Unfortunately, after six months many people regain the lost weight and sometimes more. For long term weight control, a diet rich in carbohydrates appears to win out.

Other Reasons Why a Diet Rich in Carbohydrates is Better

When the right carbohydrates are added to the diet, fiber intake goes up. Fiber helps to suppress appetite, promote healthy digestive function, and lower the risk of heart disease. People usually feel better when they eat higher levels of carbohydrates since carbs are a ready source of fuel for both the body and brain.

How to Use Carbohydrates to Help Lower Weight

A diet rich in carbohydrates is unlikely to be effective if the wrong types of carbohydrates are chosen. Energy dense carbs such as desserts, breads, and sugar-filled foods and drinks won’t help to lower weight or improve overall health. The key is to select whole grain carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables in place of starchy white bread and potatoes. These foods are better choices because they’re low in calories, but also high in nutrition. Keep in mind that the overall key to successful weight loss is still to take in fewer calories than you burn off.