Vitamins and the Low Carbohydrate Diet

One of the most popular weight-loss plans is the low carbohydrate diet. While this diet has proved effective in many people, there is a real danger you short your body of important vitamins. Your body needs these vitamins for your circulatory system, immune system, and healthy cell growth and repair. Carbohydrates are rich in protective phytochemicals. If you are limiting your intake of carbs, you may be in danger of robbing your body of these important vitamins and minerals.

If you are on a low carbohydrate diet you should not be limiting your carbohydrate intake so drastically to deprive your body of important nutrients. Know the difference between complex carbohydrates and simple carbohydrates. It is smart to stay away from the simple carbs because these usually have little nutritional value and are heavily loaded with sugar.

Vitamin A is an important vitamin found in carbohydrates and many of the foods that contain vitamin A can be consumed on a low carb diet. Foods that contain this important vitamin are green, orange, and red fruits and vegetables. Carrots, sweet potatoes, chili peppers, spring greens, and cabbage are full of vitamin A and are allowed on a low carbohydrate diet in the right portions. The vitamin is found in melon, and fruits but these are limited when a person is following a low carbohydrate diet.

The B1 vitamin is found in many sources of carbohydrates especially fruits and vegetables. The carbs allowed in moderation on a low carb diet that have B1 vitamins are; bread, oatmeal, seeds, some vegetables, and sunflower seeds.

B2 is found in whole meal breads, broccoli, and soybeans and all are allowed in moderation when you are on a low carb diet.

B3 is found in many items that are allowed on a low carbohydrate diet including whole wheat bread, Grapenuts cereal, peanuts, peanut butter, almonds and brown rice. The key to these foods is eating them in moderation.

Many other B vitamins are not restricted from a low carb diet because their food sources include, lentils, wheat germ, peanut butter, and green leafy vegetables. As with any diet program, the secret to good weight loss is moderation.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and must be taken in daily. Some fruits carry healthy doses of vitamin C but are also high in sugar. Other sources that can be found for this important vitamin is raw vegetables, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spring greens, and cauliflower. These are great, healthy foods to include in a low carbohydrate diet.

Folate acid is needed by both men and women and is found in low-carb diet friendly foods such as lentils, kidney beans, peas, and vegetables. Avocados, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and beets are good sources of folate acid.

Vitamin D and E are important nutrients in our daily diet. While fortified breakfast cereals have vitamin D, vitamin E can be found in wonderful foods that are low in carbohydrates such as soybeans, wheat germ, almonds, sunflower seeds and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin E is included in many fruits but fruits are also high in sugars and are not recommended for a low-carb diet.

The secret of any diet is to eat a balanced meal, moderate portions and combining it with exercise. A good supplemental vitamin is important no matter which diet you are following to lose weight.