Why many doctors don’t like low-carb diets despite weight-loss benefits

Low-carbohydrate diets, which restrict foods like fruits, grains, and starchy vegetables in favor of protein and fats, have long been recognized as an effective strategy for quick weight loss. However, many nutrition experts and physicians caution against them, emphasizing a focus on the type of carbohydrates consumed rather than strictly limiting their number.

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I have never recommended a low-carb diet to a patient, and I don’t plan to.

Dr. Nate Wood, an internal medicine and obesity physician at Yale School of Medicine, states he has never recommended a low-carb diet and does not plan to. He, along with other doctors, suggests that individuals concerned about carbohydrate intake's impact on weight, diabetes risk, or general health should prioritize choosing nutrient-dense carbohydrate sources.

Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of low-carb diets for weight reduction. A 2024 review found that participants on low-carb diets lost an average of nearly 6 pounds more than those on Mediterranean diets over 18 months. Research also indicates potential benefits for managing Type 2 diabetes, with organizations like the American Diabetes Association recommending them for improving blood sugar, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels.

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Traditional low-carb diets are loaded with red meat.

Despite these benefits, experts like Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian from Tufts University highlight the challenges of long-term adherence and maintaining nutritional balance. Restricting carbohydrates excessively can lead to a less nutritious diet, potentially causing individuals to replace them with less healthy options, such as red meat high in saturated fats. This can, in turn, increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, underscoring the importance of a balanced and sustainable approach to eating.

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While it’s reasonable to go on a low-carbohydrate diet for, say, three to six months to lose weight quickly, he said, avoiding all carbohydrates for longer than that could lead to a less nutritious diet overall.