Energy balance
Low-carbohydrate diets induce greater early-phase calorie restriction (approx. 162 kcal/d) compared to low-fat diets, but this advantage is not sustained after 3 months.
If you start a low-carb diet, expect a stronger initial drop in hunger and calorie intake compared to a low-fat diet, but don't rely on this advantage for long-term weight management. The difference disappears after 3 months, so focus on finding a sustainable way to eat that you can maintain indefinitely, regardless of the macronutrient split.
The low-carbohydrate diet resulted in ∆EIModel that was 162 ± 53 kcal/d lower than the low-fat diet over the first 3 months (P = 0.002), but no significant diet differences were found thereafter.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial (DIETFITS) with objective model-based energy intake calculations, though not using doubly labeled water.
Source
Objective versus Self‐Reported Energy Intake Changes During Low‐Carbohydrate and Low‐Fat Diets
Juen Guo et al. · Obesity · 2019
DOI 10.1002/oby.22389
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →