A strict study done by the Harvard School of Public Health has proven what low carbers have known for years - that on a low carb diet you can eat more calories and still lose weight.

The study results were presented at a meeting of the American Association for the Study of Obesity. Unlike other studies, which just told people what to eat and then hoped they did, this study actually had its participants bring home prepared meals from an Italian restaurant.

The study compared a low fat diet with two low carb diets. Those on one of the low carb diets got an extra 300 calories every day for 12 weeks. The study doctors expected those people to gain weight as a result - but instead, they lost more than the low fat group did.

Over the 12 weeks, those on the low fat diet lost only 17 pounds. Those on a higher-calorie low carb diet lost 20 pounds, while those on a similar-calorie low carb diet lost 23 pounds.

More studies are planned now to figure out exactly why people on a 1,500 calorie diet would lose less weight if those calories came from low carb foods. Until now, many nutritionists have felt "a calorie is a calorie" and that it didn't matter at all where that calorie came from. However, numerous studies like this one are proving that eating low carb food is more healthy for you, and less likely to add on the pounds - even if it provides the exact same calorie count as a low fat diet does.

Low Carb Basics


Lisa Shea's Library of Low Carb Books