Interested in trying your hand at the ever-popular low carb diets? Want to get started but aren’t sure if this is really what you want to do? You can always try making some low carb dishes for a couple of weeks to see if it’s a diet you think you can stick to.
On a low-carb diet, you eat fewer carbohydrates in your diet. If you’re borderline diabetic (or full-fledged diabetic), then a low-carb diet can help you keep your blood sugar levels stabilized, and it also helps you lose weight in the process.
Breakfast meals are usually the hardest on a low carb diet because many people like to have their donuts, muffins and toast – but these are found to be high in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates turn into sugar within your body and then your energy crashes, sending you on a hunt for more food.
Some alternative breakfast options for you to try instead consist of low-carb muffins, low-carb cold cereals and hot flax cereal. Even eggs are an option! There are many recipes for low carb muffins and cold cereals like Special K now have specially marked boxes for their low carb varieties.
Some of your favorite recipes call for potatoes, which are also high in carbohydrates. One option you could consider trying instead of potatoes is cauliflower. It sounds a bit odd when you hear it, but it’s actually quite similar to a real spud if you mash it up and prepare it as you would any other low-fat version of mashed potatoes.
If you’re a dessert lover, there’s no need to give up desserts on a low-carb diet. There’s a low-carb recipe for almost any dessert you can think of – including strawberry shortcake, cheesecake, brownies, Bundt cakes and even pies!
Some people love to eat rice. The white rice that’s normally used in our favorite dishes is high in carbohydrates. If you use brown rice instead of the white, you’ll be eating fewer carbs – and eating healthier too.
Eating out at restaurants, it can be difficult to discern what’s high in carbs and what’s low. Many restaurants have low-carb menu sections, but if they don’t, just try to steer clear of the foods you know are laden with carbs – and load up on healthy proteins instead.
Low-carb diets are a safe way to lose weight, but you have to remember not to overdo it. You will still need to have some carbohydrates in your diet – low carb is very different from no carb. By trying to cut out all carbs, you’ll only succeed in putting yourself in an unhealthy state.
I usually "carbo load" (like rice or potatoes and meat) before an head for the gym, in my belief that I will be more energetic and in turn burn the calories I took after a great meal. Is this good or am I just fooling myself with the wrong practice? Need your advice….
Another eye opening post. I like the fact that you needn't give up desserts when on a low carb eating plan.
I like your idea of eggs for breakfast. I poach mine with a little water and 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar and have them on wholemeal or sourdough toast. Yummo.
thanks for sharing such valuable information
Your last point about how low-carb is not the same as no-carb is vitally important to a successful weight loss program. A balanced diet — with no excesses or extremes in any food group whether protein, carbs, or fats — proves more successful in losing and keeping off weight. A pre-made meal plan can be a good training tool, but the best way to succeed is to work on developing good habits.