Low-carb diet: LeBron’s doing it, should you?

LeBron James opted out of a contract with the Miami Heat and into a low-carb diet. He decided to try the diet in an effort to stay in tiptop shape and (hopefully) prolong his career.

But, is a low-carb diet all it's cut out to be? And can it help you lose weight the healthy way?

According to WebMD, one of the most glaring diet mistakes people make is eliminating carbs completely.

"Carbs are the primary foods for energy," Marjorie Nolan, MS, RD, CDN, CPT, a registered dietitian in New York and national ADA spokeswoman said. "You do want to cut down on white bread and white rice, because these and other refined grains are low in nutrients. Don't cut carbohydrates entirely from your diet. Whole-grain bread, oatmeal, and brown rice are high in fiber and rich in B vitamins like folic acid, which are nutritional essentials."

FitDay highlights some of the complications one can experience by consuming too few carbs like fatigue, constipation, dizziness, fainting, headaches and muscle aches. Some more serious issues could produce kidney stones and heart disease.

However, the type of carbs you eat could be affecting how well your body responds to your desired weight loss. If you do decide to give a low-carb diet a shot, the Medical Center at the University of Maryland has some tips to help you shed pounds healthily.

You'll want to stay away from high-glycemic carbs like breads, potatoes, rice and pasta as these foods cause a spike in blood sugar. When your blood sugar rises it sets off a chain reaction starting with an increase in insulin levels. This leads to hunger, which – no surprise – causes you to eat more.

Stick to low glycemic carbs like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans. These foods digest slower and help sustain energy for longer periods of time.

With a low-carb diet, maybe you and LeBron will be sporting a slim stature when the basketball season rolls around.