Information on low carb diet foods is highly sought after these days, due to the popularity of low carb diets such as the Atkins diet and South beach diet.
These diets can produce dramatic weight loss, but many dieters give up before experiencing significant results because they feel that their meal options are too limited, and give in to their cravings for breads, pastas, and other high carb foods.
Knowing about all the options available to you is therefore vital when attempting one of these diets, as variety is the key to ensuring you do not get bored and give up half way.
Here's the good news: there's more to low carb diet food than cheese omelets and fried bacon! So what is the definition of a low carb diet food anyway? Actually, there is no generally accepted definition of "low carb", but we can probably assume that any food containing less than 40 percent carbohydrate is on the low scale, while less than 25 percent is very low.
Since all foods are made up of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, a lower carb ratio means a higher ratio of protein or fat.
So what are examples of foods you can eat on a low carb diet? Well, each diet has its own specific rules, but here is a quick run down of the major food groups and their carbohydrate levels: Vegetables In general non-starchy vegetables are the best source of low carb diet foods.
Leafy greens such as spinach are great, as are asparagus lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, and bok choy.
Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, peas, parsnips, beets, and winter squashes should be avoided.
Fruits Berries such as raspberries, black berries and cranberries are fine, as is rhubarb, lemon and limes.
Melons, nectarines peaches apricots and apples are also relatively low in sugars, but should be consumed in smaller quantities.
High sugar fruits such as bananas and mangoes, as well as most dried fruits should be avoided.
Dairy Products Milk products from which the whey has been removed, such as cottage cheese and strained yoghurt, have the lowest carb ratios.
Remember that milk contains sugar in the form of lactose, so dairy products should be consumed only moderately.
Meat, Poultry Seafood and Eggs Most red meats and other animal protein foods have a low carbohydrate ratio, although carbs are present in significant amounts in some organ meats, and in shellfish such as mussels and oysters.
It's worth remembering too, that cured meats can contain added sugars.
Cereal Grain Products Bread, pasta, rice, and other grain-derived foods are high in carbohydrates.
Sweet Foods Unless they are artificially sweetened, these products usually contain a lot of carbohydrates.
Examples include chocolate and soft drinks and anything made with white sugar.
Low carb diet foods can be found in most food groups, and through careful study of the food options available to you it is possible to enjoy the benefits of weight loss from a low carb diet, without sacrificing the enjoyment of eating nutritious and varied meals.
These diets can produce dramatic weight loss, but many dieters give up before experiencing significant results because they feel that their meal options are too limited, and give in to their cravings for breads, pastas, and other high carb foods.
Knowing about all the options available to you is therefore vital when attempting one of these diets, as variety is the key to ensuring you do not get bored and give up half way.
Here's the good news: there's more to low carb diet food than cheese omelets and fried bacon! So what is the definition of a low carb diet food anyway? Actually, there is no generally accepted definition of "low carb", but we can probably assume that any food containing less than 40 percent carbohydrate is on the low scale, while less than 25 percent is very low.
Since all foods are made up of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, a lower carb ratio means a higher ratio of protein or fat.
So what are examples of foods you can eat on a low carb diet? Well, each diet has its own specific rules, but here is a quick run down of the major food groups and their carbohydrate levels: Vegetables In general non-starchy vegetables are the best source of low carb diet foods.
Leafy greens such as spinach are great, as are asparagus lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, and bok choy.
Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, peas, parsnips, beets, and winter squashes should be avoided.
Fruits Berries such as raspberries, black berries and cranberries are fine, as is rhubarb, lemon and limes.
Melons, nectarines peaches apricots and apples are also relatively low in sugars, but should be consumed in smaller quantities.
High sugar fruits such as bananas and mangoes, as well as most dried fruits should be avoided.
Dairy Products Milk products from which the whey has been removed, such as cottage cheese and strained yoghurt, have the lowest carb ratios.
Remember that milk contains sugar in the form of lactose, so dairy products should be consumed only moderately.
Meat, Poultry Seafood and Eggs Most red meats and other animal protein foods have a low carbohydrate ratio, although carbs are present in significant amounts in some organ meats, and in shellfish such as mussels and oysters.
It's worth remembering too, that cured meats can contain added sugars.
Cereal Grain Products Bread, pasta, rice, and other grain-derived foods are high in carbohydrates.
Sweet Foods Unless they are artificially sweetened, these products usually contain a lot of carbohydrates.
Examples include chocolate and soft drinks and anything made with white sugar.
Low carb diet foods can be found in most food groups, and through careful study of the food options available to you it is possible to enjoy the benefits of weight loss from a low carb diet, without sacrificing the enjoyment of eating nutritious and varied meals.
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