According to current research low carb diets are an effective way to lose weight only in the short term; few people have reported experiencing long-term success. The majority of Americans still overweight and many obese. Like many other fad diet plans, the low carb craze is another oversimplification of nutrition.

Additionally, researchers are still investigating issues that may arise in the long term like renal function, bone strength and cancer. To keep up with the latest in carbohydrate functions read medical magazines like Prevention, Consumer Reports on Health and Health.

It is possible to lose weight while eating a healthy amount of good carbohydrates, i.e. the kind that have a low-glycemic index like lentils, beans, bran and high fiber fruits and vegetables. Health magazines like Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Health offer many tips and recipes on how to incorporate healthy sources of good carbohydrates into your diet.

Carbohydrates are not all bad; the human body uses carbs to make glucose, which it then uses for essential energy. The human body can store in the liver and muscles or immediately use glucose. Carbs also provide the body with important nutrients like fiber, B-vitamins and magnesium; eliminating carbohydrates or eating too few are not healthy.

There are different carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are composed of 1 or 2 sugar units that are digested quickly. Simple carbohydrates include sugars naturally found in fruits and vegetables and milk products.

Complex carbohydrates must be broken down through digestion before the human body is able to use it as an energy source. Starch and dietary fiber are two types of complex carbohydrates.

In a recent article in Psychology Today magazine, the magazine reported that many practitioners of the Atkins and South Beach diets are reporting increased feelings of anger, tension and depression. recent research may indicate a connection between a diet low in carbohydrates and low levels of serotonin—a substance known as a neurotransmitter that transmits nerve impulses to the brain. Serotonin promotes feelings of happiness and satisfaction. For more information on how a low-carb diet may affect your moods read magazines like Psychology Today, Prevention and Health.

Be aware of buzz words is a good way to avoid fad diets. Buzzwords are catch phrases the food industry use to promote their products and ideas and almost never have anything to do with the products’ nutritional value. A popular buzz word associated with the low carb diet is “net carbs,” which is not an accurate calculation.

Healthy sources of carbohydrates are fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals, grains and milk products. For more on sources of healthy carbohydrates read food magazines like Food & Wine, Bon Appétit and Vegetarian Times.