How to Start a Low Carb Diet

One of the hardest steps when choosing to go on a low carb diet is to actually begin the plan. You'll need to make drastic changes to your diet and become more conscious about the number of carbohydrates that you consume on a daily basis. Examples of low carb diets include Atkin's, South Beach Diet and the Zone. Before you start a low carb diet, make sure you speak to your doctor about whether this would be a good plan for you.

Step 1

Determine the foods you need to restrict in order to follow a low carb diet. Carbs extend beyond bread products and are found in fruits, starchy vegetables, fruit juices, sports drinks, pasta and rice.

Step 2

Read food labels. Once you start a low carb diet, you need to read food labels to see exactly how many carbs are found in each item. In the beginning phases of a low carb diet, you may be restricted to 20 g carbs or less per day.

Step 3

Overhaul your fridge. Get rid of any tempting foods that are high in sugar and carbs, such as snack cakes, breads and cookies. Fill up your fridge with green leafy veggies, fish, lean cuts of beef, poultry and low fat dairy items.

Step 4

Change up the places that you dine out. As you start a low carb diet, you'll need to start eating out at places that don't revolve around high carb items. Italian restaurants and fast food locations may not be the easiest places to eat at. Instead, choose steak houses or seafood restaurants. When you do dine out, ask the waiter to not bring bread to the table and fill up on salad before your dinner (sans the croutons).

Step 5

Skip the condiments, which can contain high amounts of carbs. Avoid ketchup, relish and barbeque sauce.

References

Last updated on: Nov 14, 2009

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