Eating a healthy, low-fat diet with restricted simple carbohydrates will not only make you feel better, you'll take in fewer calories, which will help you lose weight. The body needs a certain amount of fat and carbohydrates, but the typical American diet contains many times the amount required for good health. Eating lean protein and low carbohydrate fruits and vegetables will help prevent stroke, heart disease and other health problems.
Fish and Seafood
A diet high in fish and seafood is heart healthy because it provides protein and other nutrients necessary to keep your body running at optimum levels. Many of the fish, such as tuna, trout and salmon, have omega-3 fatty acids, which provide additional heart protection.
Lean Meat and Poultry
Small amounts of lean meat provide the protein to keep your muscles functioning properly. Bake, broil or grill the meat without additional fat. Remove the skin from chicken and other poultry because that's where you'll find most of the fat. Use herbs for seasoning. Chicken and turkey breast are loaded with protein and other essential nutrients. It's also low in fat and contains no carbohydrates.
Vegetables
Most vegetables have some carbohydrates, but the other nutrients they contain outweigh the negatives. If you're on a carbohydrate-restricted diet, look for vegetables on the low end of the carb list, such as spinach, asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, celery, carrots, cucumbers, radishes, leafy greens and cabbage. Avoid the higher carb vegetables, such as corn and peas. Don't add sauces or seasonings, or you'll risk adding carbohydrates and fats.
Fruits
Fruits are packed with vitamins that are essential to good health. However, they have carbohydrates, so stick to the ones with the lowest count. Apples, strawberries, apricots and pineapple are lower than most. Remember that most fruits are high in fiber, which will counter some of the carbohydrates. Avoid canned fruits that are packed in syrup because that will significantly increase the sugar, which is mostly carbohydrates.
Eggs
Eggs are packed with nutrition. If you eat the egg white and not the yolk, you'll get mostly protein that is easy to digest. The yolk is where the fat is in the egg, therefore you won't get any fat or carbohydrates from the egg whites.
Dairy
Some of the dairy foods that are low fat, low carb include string cheese, Parmesan cheese, low-fat yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese and low-fat sour cream.
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