Low-carb diets may be a health risk

People may be risking their health by not eating vital foods such as eggs and cheese from their meals because of the low-carbohydrate diet 'craze', health experts warned this week.Low-carb diets, including the well-known Atkins Diet, have become increasingly popular over the past few years amid rising levels of obesity in western nations.A study of Australian adults showed one in five—with women outnumbering men by more than two to one—had tried a low-carb diet or planned to try one.

But a Newspoll survey has found that a significant number of respondents were confused about what foods actually contained carbohydrates.The study found that up to nine in 10 people knew bread, pasta, rice and breakfast cereals were carbohydrate foods.However, only one-third realised lollies and soft drinks contained carbohydrates, and one in five mistakenly believed cheese and eggs were carbohydrate rich.The Newspoll, which surveyed 1,200 adults in August, was commissioned by Go Grains, an initiative of the Australian grains industry to inform the community about the nutritional benefit of grains and pulses.Some foods with carbohydrates can help fight against cancer, heart disease and diabetes, while the milder side effects of low-carb diets include lethargy, constipation, dehydration and bad breath.