Foods that contain carbohydrates supply the body with glucose, its main source of energy. When the supply of glucose is low, the body uses stored fat to provide it with fuel. MayoClinic.com states that, although low-carb diets help to promote weight loss, dieters run the risk of gaining back the lost pounds if they abandon the diet and resume their regular eating habits. Boost your chances of sticking with your diet by trying some quick and easy low-carbohydrate dinner ideas.
Dinner Salads
Meal-sized salads are a healthy way to cut down on fat, add vitamins into your daily diet and keep your carbohydrate intake down. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and most vegetables normally found in salad have 2 g or less of carbohydrates per cup. Make the salad a more complete meal by adding a cut-up grilled chicken breast, sliced steak or hard-boiled egg for protein, and some whole-wheat pasta or brown rice for fiber. Be careful of the salad dressing that you use, as even a low-fat dressing can contain 15 g or more of carbohydrates per ounce. To keep the carb and fat count low, use a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar instead.
Packet Meals
Use aluminum foil to create a simple low-carbohydrate dinner with minimal cleanup. Place one boneless, skinless chicken breast in the center of a 12-inch square of aluminum foil. Top with 1/2 cup each of bell pepper and sweet onion, cut into strips. Season the chicken and vegetables with salt and pepper to taste. Top with 1/2 cup of store-bought or homemade salsa, and place in a 375 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. You can also cook the packets on a closed grill over medium-high heat. This low-fat meal contains 346 calories and only 20 g of carbohydrates. Serve over 1/2 cup of long-grain brown rice, adding 108 additional calories and 22.5 carbohydrates.
Substitute Squash
When you crave spaghetti but don't want the carbs, serve spaghetti squash instead. A one-cup serving of spaghetti squash contains 42 calories and 10 g of carbohydrates, and it has a very low rating on the glycemic index. Make a quick Italian-style sauce from ground beef, onions, tomatoes, peppers, basil, parmesan cheese and Italian seasonings for a hearty and flavorful dish that contains only 18 g of carbohydrates per serving.
Marinate for Flavor
When you're pressed for time, let marinades get dinner started for you. Marinades add flavor to your poultry or steak, and some will tenderize cheaper cuts of beef. Create a marinade by combining a small amount of oil with an acid like citrus juice or vinegar, and add some seasonings. Place your meat or poultry in a resealable plastic bag, add the marinade, close the bag and shake to coat the meat. Place in the refrigerator for two to 24 hours to marinate. When you're ready to cook the chicken or beef, drain and discard the marinade, and grill, bake or broil the meat. Since poultry and beef do not contain any significant carbohydrates, side dishes served with the meat will determine the total carbohydrate load. To keep it low-carb, serve with steamed broccoli and brown rice or baked sweet potato.
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