Richards believes the body needs carbs for a balanced diet and energy, even on the low-carb Keto diet. You may feel exhausted if you eliminate them from your diet.
Limiting carbohydrates requires gradual change since your body needs time to adjust. She thinks between refined and complex carbs is crucial.
She calls them "slow-burning carbohydrates that give sustained energy." She says they create serotonin, "which can help manage stress, a factor that can cause fatigue and low energy."
Whole grains, beans, peas, and other vegetables provide complex carbs. She says refined carbs in pastries, frozen meals, and other processed foods make you feel "bloated" and more likely to gain weight.
Hunnes explains that while this diet emphasizes fat over carbs, consuming high-quality meals is just as vital. (For instance, eating as few carbohydrates as possible without considering other meals won't help you lose weight healthily!)
Hunnes states, "Most people want to lose weight at exceptional rates, like several pounds per week," but that is neither healthy or sustainable.
Crash diets and too low calories are typically used. However, Hunnes advises a more practical approach, such as aiming for 1 pound each week or first planning meals to absorb more vitamins and minerals.