3 Ways to Use a Low Carb Food Pyramid

1. More Meat

In the traditional food pyramid from the USDA, you'll find meat towards the top of the pyramid. Recommendations include getting two to three servings of meat and meat products per day. Foods found in this group include beef, poultry, pork, fish, beans and nuts. In a low carb food pyramid, you'll find this protein group at the base of the pyramid. Most of your food options will come from meat products in order to help you lose weight and provide you with energy. On a low carb food pyramid, you can expect to eat numerous servings of beef, pork, poultry, seafood, eggs and healthy fats, including olive oil and canola oil. On average, you'll eat about 6 to 12 oz. of meat on your low carb diet.

2. Pass the Fruit and Veggies

On a low carb food pyramid, you'll still find recommendations for numerous servings of vegetables. Vegetable recommendations include dark green leafy veggies, like broccoli and green beans along with tomatoes, eggplants and artichokes. You can also eat plenty of fruit while using a low carb food pyramid. You'll want to make sure the fruit contains a low glycemic index. Many low carb dieters rely on berries for a handy and healthy snack to eat on the go. On the low carb food pyramid, you'll want to eat approximately six to nine servings of both fruits and vegetables each day. This coincides with the recommendation set forth in the traditional USDA Food Pyramid.

3. Cut the Carbs

Although different low carb food pyramids make adjustments as far as recommended servings for the other food groups, one feature stays the same. You'll only eat a small of amount of high carb foods while using the food pyramid. Formerly, grain and carb products were put at the base of the USDA Food Pyramid with a recommendation of six to 11 servings a day. Recommended foods included breads, cereals, pasta and rice. On a low carb food pyramid, you'll find this food group at the very top of the pyramid. Eat these foods sparingly and try to avoid them to follow your diet. Besides grains, you'll want to stay away from other high carb foods, like bananas, oranges and potatoes. Use foods high in carbohydrates sparingly if you're trying to lose weight on a low carb diet, like Atkin's or South Beach Diet.