The Femme Files

New in Weight Loss: Carb Cycling

Proposed as a weight loss technique rather than diet, carb cycling involves alternating between high, low and moderate carbohydrate days, restoring your fat-burning hormone levels of leptin. Leptin is a hormone that raises metabolism and prevents hunger – and it’s this chemical that drops too low when a purely low-carb diet is followed. Which explains the severe hunger cravings then, even when you’re stuffing your face with cheese, cream and bacon!

When leptin levels decrease, your metabolism slows, so by swapping high carb periods with low carb ones you prevent the drop in leptin levels, keeping hunger at bay and metabolism high. Sounds easy, right? Here’s a sample plan:

Begin with a low carb day, followed by a high one, then a moderate day of carbs. Protein and kilojoule intake should remain the same, only the amount of carbohydrate changes. Play around with the amount of time you cycle; for example, you may have three low carb days followed by a high one, and three moderate carb days over a week. Just make sure to plan the high carb days on a Saturday, and include brunch, lunch and dinner out, followed by dessert!