Low Carb Diet
A low carb diet, if done correctly, should come without any risk. This diet can do many things to help you lose weight and reduce your appetite. Low carb diets also lead to a great amount of weight loss more quickly than other diets. Most of this weight loss comes from the abdominal cavity, meaning that the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes are greatly reduced.
The benefits of a low carb diet don’t stop there. For those with diabetes, this diet will reduce blood sugar and insulin levels. The diet has been known to require diabetes patients to reduce their insulin dosages immediately. Low carb diets can also eliminate the need for glucose-lowering medication within six months.
What Is a Low Carb Diet
Low carb diets are typically used for weight loss, but some low carb diets have health benefits, like reducing risks associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. A low carb diet will limit carbohydrates, specifically the types found in vegetables, fruits, and grains. This type of diet instead emphasizes foods high in protein and fat.
As the name suggests, eating very few carbohydrates is the key to a low carb diet. Carbohydrates are a type of calorie-providing macronutrient found in many foods and drinks. Carbs can be simple or complex and are classified as simple refined, simple natural, complex refined, and complex natural. The most common sources of carbohydrates are grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, milk, and legumes.
Low Carb Snacks & Foods
In a low-carb diet, low-carb foods and low carb snacks are typically protein-heavy. This diet will exclude or limit grains, legumes, fruits, bread, sweets, pasta, certain nuts, and starchy vegetables. Some low-carb diets, however, allow small amounts of certain grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Low-carb foods include lean meats, fish, eggs, cauliflower, broccoli, certain fruits, certain nuts, certain seeds, and leafy green vegetables. These can all be mixed into your three daily meals in various ways during your diet. Portion control is the most important aspect of preparing these meals. It is also vitally important that you are receiving all the nutrients your body needs because a low-carb doesn’t offer enough vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, iron, vitamins C, D, or E. Experts recommend trying supplements to avoid vitamin and mineral deficiency.
Cravings can often lead to the failure of a diet, but luckily, there are many low carb snacks. Trail mix, cheddar cheese crisps, deviled eggs, berries, avocado, carrot sticks, dark chocolate, and kale chips are all low-carb snacks. Get rid of all of your high-carb snacks and replace them with these healthier snacks to avoid temptation.
Risks of Low Carb Diet
Suddenly cutting large amounts of carbs can result in certain health problems. These include headaches, bad breath, muscle cramps, weakness, skin rashes, fatigue, constipation, and/or diarrhea. Be careful that your low-carb diet doesn’t severely restrict carbohydrates. It is also good to be sure that you are still getting the necessary vitamins, like vitamins C, D, or E. Low carb diets can be effective and safe, so long as you are balancing your intake of carbs and vitamins alongside the proteins you are consuming.
No Time To Prepare Meals?
A low carb diet can be difficult to manage, especially for those who work all day. With little time to prepare meals, you may resort to easier options like fast food. Z.E.N Foods offers healthy meals that can be delivered to your doorstep. We offer a variety of programs, ranging from gut cleanses to paleo. All you have to do is choose a program and place your order. If you have any questions, our consultants are on standby, waiting to assist you.