It is sometimes hard to give up carbs like these, but there are alternatives.
Low-carb diets have been developed because the body tends to store carbohydrate foods (sugars and starches) as fat. Carbohydrates are typically broken down into sugar by the body's digestive process, which ultimately gets stored as fat. Without sugar, the body is forced to burn body fat and insulin levels are stabilized, eliminating cravings and blood sugar swings. As grain and sugars have become part of today's lifestyle, it is not so easy to give up the carbs.
Cut Out All Refined Carbs
Following a low-carb diet means stop using alcohol, sugars or refined carbohydrates. Focus on grains with a low Glycemic Index. Refined carbs include most breakfast cereals, canned foods and prepared sauces.
Eating Habits
Adopt healthy eating habits when you are on a low-carb diet. Don't do any thing else while eating, like watching television or reading the paper. Eat slowly and savor every bite to prevent overeating. Eat the bulk of your food early in the day, to give your body the opportunity to burn the calories it consumes. Never skip breakfast, as this important meal stabilizes your blood sugar. If you are not hungry early in the morning, start with a protein shake. Avoid quick and easy junk food for lunch, but take your own food with you.
Eat Protein
Eat protein with every single meal. Protein is more satisfying than carbs and requires more energy to break down. As your body recognizes protein as something you need, the brain will signal that you have had enough food sooner than when eating carbohydrates.
Leftovers
Be creative with last-night's leftovers for lunch. This is a cheap and delicious way to replace the typical high-carb sandwich lunch. Mix and match the leftovers with several low-carb sauces. Create a chicken salad with last night's leftover chicken, and you will feel full for the rest of the day.
Pasta
Replace regular pasta with pasta that is made from vegetables, such as kelp/seaweed pasta or mushroom pasta. Or use spaghetti squash or stringed zucchini.
Smoothies
Use coconut milk, kefir or yogurt for smoothies and add low-sugar fruit such as berries instead of bananas or pineapples, which have high glucose content.
Coconut Flour
Use coconut flour to bake waffles, pancakes or muffins. Coconut flour is low in carbohydrates, and this way you don't need to give up your favorite foods altogether. Use low-sugar fruit for sweet toppings.
Carb Withdrawal
In the first three to four days of your low-carb diet, you will be prone to carb withdrawal. Symptoms like fatigue, headaches, irritability and cravings for sweets and a hungry feeling are typical withdrawal symptoms. Drink a lot of water and eat meat, cheese or eggs whenever you feel hungry. Take 1000mg of L-Glutamine to reduce carb cravings.
Water
Drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Water will flush out your kidneys and remove toxins from your body.
Sweets
Sweet cravings are a serious problem for people on low-carb diets. Eat extra fat such as extra butter, coconut oil or add raw cream to your hot tea or coffee to make the carb cravings disappear.
Snacks
Eat protein rich snacks like hard-boiled eggs, slices of hard cheese or nuts. Choose snack foods you actually enjoy to eat.
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