Carb Diet Tips

Low carb diet proponents want their recommended food choices to change the way you eat forever, not just while you try to lose weight. Danish researchers in a meta-analysis study reported by the Public Broadcasting Service found that 85 percent of dieters who remained on their diet to reach their goal weight did not maintain their weight loss and lifestyle changes. So, you need strategies to help you shop intelligently, eat in restaurants, enjoy celebrations and deal with emotional eating triggers.

Read Labels

Beginning in 1965 with the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires informative labeling of all consumer products in interstate commerce. Learning to read package labels provides a wealth of information for low-carb dieters. Beginning with serving size and calories, the label contains information to help you make informed decisions using information on total carbohydrates, sugars and fiber. Some advocates of low-carbohydrate consumption such as the editors of the "Low Carb, Better Carb Cookbook," suggest subtracting the fiber and sugar alcohols from the total carbohydrates to assess the appropriateness of a food choice for your diet.

Learn Portion Sizing

Keeping portions sizes in line with your diet remains particularly challenging when eating in restaurants, where serving sizes continue to grow. Make portion sizing easier by using common reference points rather than diet scales or plate marking. For example, "Eating Well" magazine notes that 1 tsp. equals the size of your fingertip, a medium bagel is the size of a hockey puck, 1 oz. of nuts fits into the hand of a child and 3 oz. of meat is the size of a deck of cards.

Low-Carb Snacks

Temptation waits everywhere for unprepared carbohydrate-counting dieters--doughnuts at the office, missed lunch hunger or tailgate party treats. Keep approved low-carbohydrate snacks in your briefcase, purse and in your work area. For example, the South Beach low-carb diet lists several snacks that you can carry with you, such as a handful of pistachios or almonds, a stick of reduced-fat mozzarella and hard-boiled eggs.