High Protein / Low Carb?

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If you're doing heavy weight training, then yes, more protein/less carbs is the way to go. I don't think cutting out carbs all together is a good idea for the long haul however. Also, an excessively high protein diet for a prolonged period of time can be harmful as well. The trick is to find the right balance so your muscles are getting the fuel they need without overkill.

Do what works best for you. I'm one of those people that thrives on a lower carb type diet - I'm awesome with fatty proteins and dense crunchy veggies. My head is clearer, I have more energy... Some people are the opposite - a low carb style life leaves them feeling ill. So, if you are feeling great then keep it up. The biggest thing is making sure you get the proper nutrients and your body is functioning well.

What does bump mean? i keep seeing it

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Low carb is ok, but no carb isn't good. Carbs are fuel for your body, and you need them to be healthy. Also, you have to keep in mind your long-term goals. Cutting out carbs is great for a quick weight loss, but it's not sustainable for the long-term because when you add the carbs back in, you'll regain the weight. (My parents have done this 3 times now.) Carbs are not evil -- they're good for you! You just need to make sure you're eating complex carbs instead of simple carbs (whole grains rather than white bread, etc.) and make sure you're getting a good amount of protein to go along with it.

No. Not good. You might as well throw the protein in the garbage. For each gram of protein to be used by your body, it needs 4 grams of carbos. When your protein is high, it is only filling your stomach, but not being used by your body (so its not fueling muscles/muscle growth without the carbs present). It stresses your digestive system (but you may not feel it) and other organs. A balanced low-fat diet with real food and a variety of exercise (cardio and strength) is the way to go. "They" say 30% calories from fat, but from many health experts, that is too high. Use this site, set your weight loss goal (1 to 1.5 pounds lost per week is safe and managable without stressing out) and you will get there. It will take longer than your friends method, but you will be at your goal when she is still pounding the weights eating a rigid diet and you'll be used to a healthy diet, fun exercise, and enjoying your accomplishment. Think of this, the extra weight that you want to lose--how long did it take to put on? It may take that long to burn it off. Don't expect overnight success, but demand success in the end. GOOD LUCK!

I'm doing the same thing. I did South Beach two years ago and did AMAZING on it!!! So I kind of started doing it again this year, only I've modified it a bit. I watch my starches, white-floured stuff. I try to stay away from bread and pasta, but limit to special occasions only. I make a lot of salads, lean meats, and veggies for my meals. Breakfast can be a bit of a challenge because I love cereal - so I usually eat oatmeal+almonds during winter or Egg white omelets with turkey bacon. I love protein shakes, but usually eat them with a light meal. Most of all, I try to REALLY watch processed stuff - that's where I get in to trouble.

Just like what you said, I feel TONS better. Carbs kill me. The Low carb way is not for everyone, but I find it really helps me. I have energy, I found a lot of stuff I like to eat, and it helps with watching my sodium too.

I do cardio and free weights for my work outs.

The short answer to your question is yes, that is the way to go. How many gms carbs are you consuming?

No. Not good. You might as well throw the protein in the garbage. For each gram of protein to be used by your body, it needs 4 grams of carbos. When your protein is high, it is only filling your stomach, but not being used by your body (so its not fueling muscles/muscle growth without the carbs present). It stresses your digestive system (but you may not feel it) and other organs. A balanced low-fat diet with real food and a variety of exercise (cardio and strength) is the way to go. "They" say 30% calories from fat, but from many health experts, that is too high. Use this site, set your weight loss goal (1 to 1.5 pounds lost per week is safe and managable without stressing out) and you will get there. It will take longer than your friends method, but you will be at your goal when she is still pounding the weights eating a rigid diet and you'll be used to a healthy diet, fun exercise, and enjoying your accomplishment. Think of this, the extra weight that you want to lose--how long did it take to put on? It may take that long to burn it off. Don't expect overnight success, but demand success in the end. GOOD LUCK!

http://www.drbriffa.com/2010/11/26/higher-protein-lower-carbohydrate-diets-win-in-the-war-on-weight/

http://www.drbriffa.com/2010/06/25/study-reminds-us-of-the-superior-performance-of-low-carb-diets-over-low-fat-ones-for-weight-loss/

@ lodro. Thanks for the articles. The person who posted this asked if high protein/low carb is the way to go. My answer was solid. Its not the way to go. The links you provide show studies of which diets work the best for weight loss. High protein/low carb will drop the weight faster almost every time. I don't argue that. However, is that the way to go? I don't think so. Usually people on these diets go for the obvious high protein food: meat (and some cheeses). Not good. High in cholesterol, low in nutrients, rough on your system and colon. To make up for the nutrients, the high protein diets have you on a vitamin supplement regimine. Its ok to get some vitamins/minerals from supplements, but they are always best from the source--the food. If high protein seekers ate bunch of beans/legumes for protein they'd probably get sick. The best 'diet' is not a diet at all, eat how we evolved--tons of veggies, fruit for quick fuel (which also satisfies sweet cravings), complex carbs for sustained energy (brown rice, ancient grains, whole wheats--which also provide a lot of protein), no to very little processed carbs, very little white carbs (white bread/rice/potatoes), legumes , and if you have to, fish/other meats (but non processed) for protein, some nuts/seeds which have protein and necessary oils (omega). Contrary to popular belief (and the latest caveman diet trend), we did not evolve on meat (no refridgeration, lack of technology to hunt, no mass farming to feed herds, etc). No, I am not an animal rights activist. Civilizations of the past, and even our grandparents, ate meat sparingly, and on "occasions" and when they could afford it. Our digestive systems are not equipped to digest high protein diet meat quantities without something going wrong--eventually. You can eat masses and masses of vegetables which are LOW in calories, but nutrient dense. The weight will fall off, naturally.

Low carb diets end up low calorie diets because you eat less--and what you do eat (mainly protein) goes in one end and out the other because most of the calories in the protein/meat aren't counting because they don't digest/get processed without 4x the carbs. Its a high cholesterol-kidney-stone-causing-low-nutrient math equation that ends up low cal, low nutrition.

So this discussion will boil down to what you meant by "way to go". Yes, in the short term, eating very little carbs can put your body into ketosis and you will burn your body fat (there is a lot I'm leaving out, but that's the basics). However, like supermario said, it may not be the best over the long term. What are your goals? Short term? Long term? How much do you exercise? There are a lot of questions that go into this high protein or high carb diet. It will all depend on your goals, and needs.