This statement highlights a crucial limitation of low-carbohydrate diets. While they can be effective for weight loss, they often fall short in providing a balanced and complete nutritional profile. Let’s delve deeper into the reasons behind this limitation and explore potential solutions.
The 2020−2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee reported insufficient evidence on the health impacts of varying macronutrient (carbohydrate, protein, and fat) levels outside accepted intake ranges and chose not to include low-carbohydrate diets as a recommended eating pattern. Low-carbohydrate diets are increasingly popular despite ongoing debates about the diet’s nutritional value and long-term health effects. “The goal of this study was to determine whether different levels of carbohydrate restriction could provide adequate nutrition, as this is a common question regarding lower carbohydrate diets. The study uses food pattern modelling, which is an easily repeatable process for the research community, it went through peer-review to ensure scientific integrity of the work, and we followed the COI disclosure practices required by the journal. The study also transparently demonstrates both the nutrients of adequacy and of concern when following these types of dietary patterns, which can help advance the scientific dialogue around low-carbohydrate diets.”
In response, Jonathan Clinthorne, PhD, study author and the Senior Director of Nutrition at Simply Good Foods, told MNT that: “The funder designed and analyzed the dietary pattern modeling using publicly available datasets and helped write the manuscript, alongside a third-party expert. The study underwent peer-review to ensure scientific integrity of the work.” Medical News Today contacted Simply Good Foods for comment regarding the study’s funding and reported conflicts of interest. Additionally, two of the three study authors are declared employees, and one is a Simply Good Foods USA, Inc. shareholder. The study received funding from Simply Good Foods USA, Inc , which owns Atkins and Quest Nutrition, brands selling low-carbohydrate food products.
The study focused on the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and the vegetarian diet. These three diets are popular choices for individuals seeking to improve their health and well-being. The researchers analyzed the nutrient profiles of each diet, comparing them to the recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, potassium, magnesium, and fiber.
The researchers then conducted a randomized controlled trial with 120 participants. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three diet plans. The study lasted for 12 weeks. The researchers measured participants’ weight, body fat percentage, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. They also assessed participants’ dietary intake and physical activity levels.
This finding suggests that men, regardless of age, may be struggling to meet their energy needs. This could be due to a variety of factors, including:
* **Increased energy expenditure:** Men may have higher energy expenditure due to factors like muscle mass, physical activity levels, and hormonal differences. * **Dietary habits:** Men may be consuming fewer calories than they need, leading to insufficient energy intake.
The plans also provided ample calcium for adults aged 31–50 but failed to meet the calcium needs of older adults. Iron intake in these meal plans was adequate for males and older females, but middle-aged women — who require more iron — would not get adequate iron, except on the 100-gram carbohydrate plan. In line with current concerns about low-carbohydrate diets , the low-carbohydrate meal plans exceeded recommended sodium and saturated fat levels, while potassium levels were low. However, they maintained a favorable sodium-to-potassium ratio below one, which may benefit heart health. Saturated fat made up a significant portion of the total calories in each plan, with 21% in the 20-gram diet, 19% in the 40-gram diet, and 13% in the 100-gram diet. However, these plans had a better omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio than the average American diet, potentially providing protective health effects.
Some studies suggest that high fiber intake can be beneficial for weight management, while others indicate potential negative effects on blood sugar control. The impact of fiber on weight management is complex and multifaceted. It can promote satiety, reduce calorie intake, and improve gut health, all contributing to weight loss.