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How many pounds a week should you lose on a low-carb diet?

People who begin a low-carb diet with less fat to lose generally lose weight more slowly than those who started out with more. After the first couple of weeks on a low-carb diet, people may lose between 1/2 pound and 2 pounds a week, which is considered a more sustainable rate of weight loss.

verywellfit.com - Starting a Low-Carb Diet for Weight Loss - Verywell Fit

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Reducing carbohydrate intake is a popular way to try to meet a weight loss goal. When you start eating fewer carbs, the way your body recruits energy will change, which will make you feel different physically and even emotionally.

What Is a Low-Carb Diet for Weight Loss?

The definition of a low-carbohydrate diet is loose. For some people, it may mean casually reducing their refined carb intake. For others, it might mean reducing total carbohydrate content to a specific goal. Most low-carb diets aim for 50 grams of carbohydrate per day, though some lower-carb eating plans allow for up to 150 grams of carbohydrates per day. While research has shown that people can lose weight on low-carb diets, there is no guarantee that you'll have the same experience. However, most people can expect to lose some weight when they make dietary changes like reducing their carbohydrate intake. Knowing what your body does in response to dietary changes can inform your weight loss estimates and keep you on the right track as you progress.

1:37 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Low-Carb Diet

Low Carb Diet Weight Loss: In 2 Weeks

After a week of ups and downs, the second week of a low-carb diet is much more stable. If you respond well to a low-carb diet, this is the point at which you will begin to experience fat loss. The actual amount you will lose depends on many factors, including your starting weight and the type of low-carb diet you follow. People who restrict carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams a day (which is considered a very low-carb diet) typically see a more profound loss at the very beginning than those who follow a diet that includes 60 to 130 grams of carbohydrates daily. However, since the average American diet contains about 200 to 300 grams of carbohydrates daily, any reduction in carbs is likely to produce a change. If you're not seeing changes after two weeks, don't despair: Some bodies take a little longer to adjust. Patience is key! If you choose to track your weight loss with a scale, how you weigh yourself is important. Be consistent . Choose a consistent time of day to weigh yourself. This makes the best possible basis for comparison. . Choose a consistent time of day to weigh yourself. This makes the best possible basis for comparison. Consider your cycle . If you are having a menstrual cycle, you may decide not to weigh yourself during the second half of your cycle—especially if you tend to retain water. . If you are having a menstrual cycle, you may decide not to weigh yourself during the second half of your cycle—especially if you tend to retain water. Limit your weigh-ins. The usual advice is to weigh yourself once a week instead of every day. The normal day-to-day weight fluctuations come from your body's fluid balance, how much fiber you eat, and other factors.

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Weeks 3 and 4

During the second half of the first month on a low-carb diet, your body will usually begin to settle into a pattern of weight loss. Your weight loss rate will depend on many factors, including how much weight you have to lose. People who begin a low-carb diet with less fat to lose generally lose weight more slowly than those who started out with more. After the first couple of weeks on a low-carb diet, people may lose between 1/2 pound and 2 pounds a week, which is considered a more sustainable rate of weight loss.

Metabolism Shifts

During the first week following a low-carb eating plan, there will be a shift in your body's metabolism. Instead of primarily using carbohydrates for energy, your body will switch to other sources. If you consume fewer than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day, your body is likely to activate a process called gluconeogenesis, where energy is created by breaking down non-carbohdyrate sources (such as certain lactic acids or amino acids). If your body still cannot make enough glucose by gluconeogenesis, your body will begin to make ketone bodies (from stored fat) as an alternative for fuel. In terms of specific weight loss, some research suggests that people lose approximately the same amount of weight on a low-carb diet as on a low-calorie diet. Some weight loss at the outset is normal, but at this stage, you're losing water weight, not body fat. The glucose stored in the liver that is readily available for energy takes the form of a molecule called glycogen, and these molecules are bound up with a lot of water. When you first start a low-carb diet, the stored glycogen is released and broken down, along with the water that comes with it.

Weight Loss Plateaus

If you're anxiously tracking lost pounds, shifts in water weight may be troubling for you. Even when you're losing body fat, fluctuations in fluid levels can make it look like you're experiencing a stall in weight loss (sometimes referred to as a plateau). As your body is adjusting, try to avoid becoming too focused on the scale. Remember that weight loss takes time and consistency.

Emotional Changes

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Changing the way you eat not only has physical effects but can also affect mental and emotional health. Low-carb diets are no exception.

Mood

There are important physiological changes going on that can affect your mood as you start a low-carb diet. It's not uncommon to crave carbs, especially at the beginning of a low-carb diet. Remember that shift in your body's metabolism? As your body transitions to getting energy from glycogen to fat stores, you might feel sluggish, fatigued, and even irritable. Studies have examined whether low-carb diets have an impact on prevalence of depression and anxiety. So far, no studies have been able to find a distinct link between these common mental health disorders and low-carb eating. However, some studies have shown an improvement in psychological outcomes among people doing diet programs. More long-term research is needed to understand this correlation. Some people may find relief from these symptoms by drinking a cup of broth or eating low-sugar fruit, such as berries, melons, or stone fruit (like nectarines).

Appetite and Satiety

Carbohydrate reduction seems to work on the appetite in multiple ways, such as by altering levels of hormones that regulate your body's hunger and satiety signals. A low-carb diet may reduce your body's desire to eat more, which inherently reduces your calorie intake. Aim to choose healthy sources of protein and fats (namely monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) most of the time, including:

Avocado

Healthy fat-rich fish, like salmon

Nuts and seeds

Olive oil

Fruits and vegetables will be a staple of your diet, but be sure to focus on low-carb options such as:

Asparagus

Bell peppers

Broccoli and cauliflower

Brussels sprouts

Melons (including cantaloupe and watermelon)

Spinach and kale

Strawberries

A Word From Verywell

If you find a low-carb diet helps you manage your weight and you don't feel deprived of high-carb foods, it may be the right option for you. It's worth noting that some studies have shown low-carb diets may be challenging to stay on for a long period of time. It is also important to make sure you are getting the proper amount of micronutrients on a low-carb diet. When you're thinking about changing your eating habits, keep in mind that you're most likely to stick with an eating plan that includes healthy foods you enjoy and produces results. Before beginning any diet, check with a healthcare provider to make sure the plan you're considering is a safe option for you.

verywellfit.com - Starting a Low-Carb Diet for Weight Loss - Verywell Fit

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