Low Carb Dieting Tips

Top 10 Low Carb Dieting Tips 

Remember that with any diet, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor to make sure it is right for your body.

• Understand What Foods Are Low Carb

Commitment is an important aspect of dieting, but knowledge also plays a big role in eventually achieving the results you want. Some examples of low carb foods, include but are not limited to:

• Lean cuts of meats like chicken breast or pork.
• Certain cuts of steak can also be considered low carb.
• Eggs
• Leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach
• Fish
• Cauliflower and broccoli
• Nuts and seeds
• Nut butters
• Coconut oil, olive oil, and rapeseed oil
• Certain fruits like avocadoes
• Unsweetened dairy products like certain milks and plain Greek yogurt
• Review Carb Counts Per Serving Size

A proper low carb diet typically features only 20 to 50 grams of carbs per day. There are many foods that fall into this range but you will want to choose those that are high in overall nutritional value.

Here are some options if you are looking for foods that are 15 grams of carbs or less:

• 1 apple or orange
• 1 cup of berries
• 1 cup of melon cubes
• 2 tablespoons of raisins
• 6 ounces of plain yogurt

Keep in mind, that each of these items contain a different nutritional profile so be sure to get your fill of the necessary vitamins and nutrients.

• Plan Ahead & Stick to your Meal Plans

Creating a concrete plan of what you’re going to eat for lunch and dinner for the week ahead can be extremely useful. Many people exclude breakfasts from their meal planning because eating habits tend to differ in the morning more than any other time of day.

Careful planning can help you stick to your diet. It ensures you aren’t scrambling to find something to eat only to succumb to a grilled cheese sandwich or Big Mac. Additionally, this helps you know what groceries to buy so you can make sure you have the right foods on hand, and it’ll help control your food budget. 

• Meal Prep

To accompany your weekly meal plan should be an adherence to meal prep. By preparing your meals ahead of time, you can stick to your diet even when you must unexpectedly work late or something comes up mid-week (like being exhausted!).

Once you have your meal plan and have gone grocery shopping, you should start preparing meals for the week ahead. A good tip is to store your prepped meals in containers so that you can grab it on your way out the door.

You can also cook large portions of proteins in a slow cooker or Instant Pot on a Sunday and then divide it into individual meals that you can enjoy all week long. Try to include some that freeze well so you can plan all the way until Sunday.

If you’re a snacker—and, hey, who isn’t—then make sure you include snacks in your weekly prep. Your pantry and work area should be filled with the “right” kind of snacks, those that are not only low carb but also satisfying and hearty. This way, you won’t be tempted throughout the day.

Some popular ones, include:

• Hard boiled eggs
• Plain yogurt
• Carrots
• Nuts
• Low carb cheese

Stick to moderate portions as you don’t want to overdo it.

• Adopt Some Alternatives 

A low carb diet is all about the substitutions. It allows you to get creative and to continue enjoying some of your favourite meals.

Some of our favourite low carb alternatives, include:

• Zucchini ribbons instead of pastas like fettucine or linguine.
• Eggplant instead of lasagna pasta sheets.
• Cauliflower instead of pizza dough.
• Spaghetti squash instead of noodles or actual spaghetti.
• Lettuce instead of tortillas.
• Trust your Gut

With any diet, it’s important to use common sense to make sure you stay on track and to also ensure you don’t go overboard.

As with anything, you need to understand the risks associated with certain low carb diets. These side effects aren’t common but they’re important to be aware of and can happen as your body adjusts.

• Reduced physical performance
• Nausea
• Cramping
• Constipation
• Lack of energy

If you experience any symptoms while avoiding carbs, then it’s recommended to consult with your doctor. Teenagers and children should not be on low carb diets unless explicitly instructed by their doctor.

• Three Meals a Day

Most low carb diets call for three solid meals a day plus two snacks. The last thing you want to do is starve yourself. Try to stick to a schedule where you eat every three or four hours. If you prefer, you can adopt eating 5-6 meals a day but remember that it’s key to stick to responsible portion sizes and obviously the right food types.

• Don’t Restrict Fats

Fats are a key component of most low carb diets. Beyond their nutritional value, they also help inject flavour into food. You will want to consume healthy fats like those from nuts and vegetables and ignore other kinds that don’t mesh with a low carb diet.

Try pairing healthy food with a fat. For instance, a low carb vegetable with some slices of cheese can make a nice mid-afternoon snack.

• Beware of Sneaky Carbs

Sometimes we feel so good about ordering a side garden salad instead of fries with your steak that we forget about the carbs hiding in the salad dressing. Make sure you consider the carbs in every component of your meal, including condiments and dressings, and don’t be scared to make substitutions. For instance, a simple oil vinaigrette in place of a creamy salad dressing can do the trick.

• Enjoy Your Proteins

Believe it or not, a low carb diet should be enjoyed not dreaded. Because of this you can delve into your favourite proteins. Try making that new fish recipe that your friend recommended or pay a little more for a quality cut of sirloin from your butcher.

We’re not suggesting you indulge aimlessly but rather you should keep things exciting and fresh by focusing on high-end proteins that are delicious and healthy.

Enjoy a Low Carb Diet Today!

We hope these tips help you take the important first step toward saying goodbye to carbs and achieving the healthy lifestyle you want.

Be sure to peruse the inventory at The Low Carb Grocery to find the best ingredients to make wonderful meals.