There are many eating styles out there (keto, vegan, paleo, and more), each with its own set of benefits—and in some cases, drawbacks. In my experience as a physician, I’ve found that diets that restrict carbs can have some unwanted impacts—particularly for women.
Why low-carb diets can affect women.
When it comes to dietary protocols and eating styles, it’s crucial to include hormones in the discussion. If we’re talking about eliminating carbohydrates, it’s important to note that women may experience sleep issues, depression, anxiety, and sometimes brain fog. Your body can also hold on to weight when it perceives it’s being starved or deprived.
That’s because, eating carbs is important for women to produce leptin, which induces their satiety hormone, serotonin, which is the feel-good or “happy” hormone, and maintain healthy thyroid function.
Carbohydrates are important for serotonin production and metabolism, as well. Numerous studies show carbohydrate restriction is a link to depression since carbs increase serotonin secretion in the brain. Eating carbs also triggers tryptophan, which then triggers insulin to be released. Insulin then allows tryptophan to cross the blood-brain barrier allowing the conversion of serotonin to take place, causing that “addictive” behavior and emotional high.
How to make carbs work for you.
Making sure you have a healthy relationship with carbohydrates is key! It’s important to choose nourishing carbs and make them work for you. Here’s how:
1. Focus on nutrient-dense carbs.
The biggest mistake people make when eating and thinking of carbs is automatically gravitating toward refined sugars and carbs. (Not sure what actually even classifies as a carb? Might be time to brush up on your carb literacy, here.) Instead, try to limit the processed and refined carbs, as well as sugars, sugar alcohol, artificial sugars, and more, and learn to adapt your natural sweet tooth.
I recommend focusing on a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in complex carbs like brown rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, quinoa, vegetables, and fruit. Complex carbs take a longer time to digest, so they help keep blood sugar stable. They are also richer in fiber, which will keep you full for a longer period of time. Plus, they’re ripe with B vitamins, folate, and free-radical-fighting antioxidants.
When you start restricting carbs and calories for a period of time, your body starts adapting and forming a new, lower set point, which is why when you begin to increase your carbs again, your metabolism is thrown off. When you carb cycle, however, you’re able to better manage those fluctuations by regulating your leptin hormone.
This has to do with the body preparing for implantation and possible pregnancy and wanting to ensure it has the proper nutrients and calories necessary.
While low-carb diets may be popular right now, it’s always important to do your research and consider what type of eating style will work best for you. Consider consulting with a registered dietitian or medical provider before making any major changes to your diet.
