When you start a healthy, low-carb diet, you may find it difficult at first to eliminate carbohydrates from your diet. Low-carb diets restrict pasta, breads, cereal, fruit, starchy vegetables and rice. If these items are current mainstays of your diet, you are going to learn how to avoid them without feeling deprived. Speak to your doctor before you start on a low-carb diet. He will likely recommend a healthy plan that does not require you to eat foods high in saturated fat.
Step 1
Review fat content of foods high in protein. Before you start your healthy, low-carb diet, find out what types of protein foods are low in fat. Bacon, pork and hamburgers are high in protein, but they're also high in saturated fat. Skinless chicken, fish, turkey breast and egg whites are low in saturated fat and appropriate choices for a healthy, low-carb diet.
Step 2
Clean out your fridge and cupboards. Avoid temptation by getting rid of all unhealthy carbohydrate foods in your house. These include pastas, breads, rice, fruit, fruit juice, sugar, sweets and chips. Instead fill the fridge and pantry with chicken breast, turkey bacon, eggs, fish, shellfish, celery, lettuce, tomatoes, eggplant, nuts, olive oil, avocado and low-fat cheeses.
Step 3
Buy snacks to help control initial cravings. As your body adjusts to the dietary changes, you may feel hungry due to a dip in your blood sugar. When hunger strikes, be prepared with a high-protein snack. Some examples include nuts, beef jerky, protein bars, and celery and peanut butter.
Step 4
Steer clear of restaurants that make it difficult to stick to your healthy, low-carbohydrate diet. Italian restaurants and Mexican eateries may be difficult for the low-carb diner because most of the dishes include breads, rice or pasta. Try a steakhouse instead, where you can choose a grilled steak or chicken breast.
Step 5
Drink a lot of water. When you first start a low-carb diet, the pounds you lose are most likely from water weight. Low-carb diets can make you feel dehydrated. Aim to drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day.
Step 6
Experiment with low-carb food products. Many diet food manufacturers, like Atkins and South Beach Diet, have created lines of food items that are low in carbohydrates. When you start your diet, perform a taste test to see which ones you want to include.
Tips and Warnings
- Remember to check food labels when you decide to start a low-carb diet. During the initial phases of your low-carb diet, you may be allowed no more than 20g of carbohydrates daily. If you are really craving carbs, choose healthier options that will not ruin your diet. Some examples include brown rice, whole wheat bread and whole grain cereal.
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