Carbs Falsely Accused Some protein-promoting diets claim that eating carbohydrates is harmful because carbohydrates cause the secretion of the hormone insulin. In truth, insulin is an essential hormone that helps transfer the natural sugars of digested foods from the bloodstream to the body's cells, where these sugars fuel our activities. Many diet books falsely accuse carbohydrate intake for causing cravings, insulin resistance and weight gain for millions of people. There is no scientific evidence that carbohydrates stimulate appetite or lead to fat storage and weight gain. Balancing Your Health On a Tightrope Diets high in protein are usually higher in fat and can raise cholesterol, if followed over a long time.
Excess protein can also lead to potential health risks, from kidney damage to osteoporosis.
Weight loss can help reduce your risk of heart disease, if you are overweight. And if you eliminate carbohydrates you lose out on protective vitamins and minerals from fruits, vegetables and grains. In truth, all foods can and should fit into a healthful eating plan. Avoid the quick-fix temptation of crash diets and unrealistic regimens that keep you hungry or restrict your food choices. The diets usually don't work and result in mostly water-weight loss, not sustainable losses of body fat.