Many of the most successful diet plans, like Atkins, tell you that low-carb meals are the best way to lose weight. There are also many other diet and nutrition books out there that basically say the same thing, albeit with some differences in the details.
So I’m not going to go into all the reasons why low-carb meals are the way to go. Let’s assume you’ve come to this conclusion through your own research. This is the first step. The next and more difficult step is sticking to your low carb diet!
Focusing on low-carb foods can be very beneficial to your weight loss program. However, it is important to realize that there are “good” and “bad” carbohydrates. Good carbohydrates are natural ones that are high in fiber. They have a low glycemic index, which means they don’t raise your blood sugar quickly. This includes whole-wheat breads and pastas (although again, these should only be eaten in small amounts on a low-carb diet). This also includes many vegetables and nuts, which are not often thought of as carbohydrates.
A low-carb diet should consist primarily of high-quality proteins, such as lean chicken or turkey, fish, eggs, tofu or tempeh, or beans. This, combined with healthy servings of veggies, including salads, green veggies like spinach, broccoli and kale, squash, cauliflower and carrots is all good. Try to reduce or eliminate the bad carbohydrates as much as possible. Foods like white bread, candy made with refined sugar, pasta made with refined flour… these not only make you fat, they also have little nutritional value.
There are many delicious and nutritious meals that you can prepare that will leave you feeling satisfied and not deprived at all. You should take your low-carb eating plan for one week at a time. Make a meal plan for a week and stick to it as much as possible. Replace high-carb foods like bread and pasta with low-carb alternatives. Some of these are quite tasty, and if you combine them into filling protein dishes, you won’t feel hungry. Here are some tips to keep you on your low carb diet:
* Always have a supply of healthy snacks with you. Carrots and celery, low-carb crackers, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are good. These might not be as tempting as a candy bar or donut, but they actually give you more long-lasting energy, not to mention helping with your diet!
* Drink plenty of water. Try to avoid soda altogether as this is not a nutritious drink, even the diet variants. Also, fruit juices and energy drinks are not good substitutes for water as they contain a lot of sugar (although it is natural). Water helps keep your metabolism running efficiently and can keep you from feeling hungry between meals.
* Experiment with new low-carb foods, whether they’re proteins or veggies. Be adventurous and find some new dishes and you won’t miss the carbs that much! Get a recipe book or search for recipes online; Try different ethnic foods, but remember to stick to your low-carb resolutions.
* Add healthy fats to your diet, whether it’s in the form of foods like olive or coconut oil, avocados, or supplements that contain healthy fatty acids like fish, flax, and borage oils.
* Do you do sports regulary. No diet will work if you don’t combine it with an exercise program. It doesn’t have to be strenuous, but it should be consistent. Thirty minutes a day, at least three times a week.
These tips should help you stick to low-carb meals and help you lose weight!
Thanks to Larry Christopher
