A low-carb diet consists of foods high in proteins and low in carbohydrates. This combination, the Mayo Clinic notes, may help you lose weight if you enjoy these types of foods. The meals focus mainly on meats, eggs, cheeses, non-starchy fruits and vegetables and a limited amount of sugar, breads, pastas and beans. If starches are consumed, high fiber is stressed. Carbs are usually limited to 50 g to 150 g per day.
Meats
The American Institute for Cancer Research cautions that when shopping for low-carb food items, beware that food manufacturers use the term at their own discretion. However, meats, fish and poultry, are, for the most part, carb-free. Include bacon, but be cautious with deli meats. Try to avoid those that contain a lot of nitrates. Read the labels. Stay away from things such as fish sticks, breaded chicken breasts and some hot dogs, sausages and meatballs. Bread is used for filler and for coating other foods. It may not look like a lot, but those carb grams can add up very quickly.
Cheese and Dairy
Cheeses, with the exception of cottage cheese and ricotta, have under 1 g of carb per ounce. Use cheese wisely, as it may be high in fat. A little cheese can go a long way to making you feel full. Try different flavors and varieties for snacks or sauces. Types to consider are cheddar, mozzarella, fontina for melting over vegetables, goat cheese for crumbling over salads and real cheese slices for covering meat patties. Eggs are a mainstay on a low-car menu. Add sour cream to your list, some cream for the coffee and whipped cream for the fruit.
Fruits and Vegetables
When choosing fruits and vegetables, keep to the non-starchy varieties. Try strawberries, blueberries and the occasional apple. Stay away from bananas, they contain too much starch. Salad vegetables such as lettuce, romaine and arugula are acceptable. Put mushrooms, onions, red and green peppers, radicchio, cucumber, endive, cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant, tomatoes, spaghetti squash and black and green olives on your list, as well.
Other
The Mayo Clinic states that a low-carb diet may lower your cholesterol if you choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Add olive oil, sesame, sunflower or safflower oil to your list. Butter is acceptable on a low-carb menu, but use it sparingly, as it is a saturated fat. Look for sugar-free mayo and don't forget sour cream. Salad dressings such as Caesar, ranch or blue cheese are OK, too. For a treat, add sugar-free gelatin to go with the whipped cream.
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