| A person starting a low carbohydrate diet needs to | | | | the much-praised good oils and fats. |
| know which types of food he or she should consume | | | | But what if you're the type of person who's all |
| and which ones to shun. Getting a list of low carb | | | | thumbs in the kitchen and can't even scramble some |
| foods sometimes fools people into thinking that the | | | | eggs? You'll be glad to know that there exist a wide |
| diet is a hard thing to do. Instead of thinking "What | | | | variety of low carb convenience foods that will make |
| can't I eat?" you would be better off with a mindset | | | | your dieting life much easier. You can choose from |
| that asks "What CAN I eat?" You will then discover | | | | juices, shakes, protein bars, morning cereals, |
| that natural, low carb foods are in abundance | | | | pancakes and pancake syrup, baking mixes, cookie |
| everywhere! And you might just discover that you're | | | | mixes, low carb bread and related products, even |
| not missing the food that you were regretting giving | | | | low carb chocolate cake and cheesecake! |
| up a short time ago. | | | | Dairy products are encouraged in low carb diets. Most |
| Once you start your low carb diet, you will be | | | | cheeses can be enjoyed either by themselves as a |
| pleased to discover the many things that you can | | | | snack or as an ingredient in dishes. But keep in mind |
| keep on (and add to!) your shopping list. As a general | | | | that cheese contains carbohydrates, so you should |
| rule, most high protein foods are allowable on your | | | | limit your portions. Eggs are perhaps one of the main |
| diet. So push your grocery cart to the meat section | | | | staples of the controlled-carb dieter; they are high in |
| and feel free to plan meals that feature pork, beef, | | | | protein, have no carbs, and are very versatile. Plus, |
| lamb, venison, and veal dishes. But be careful when it | | | | they're inexpensive, too! Drinking milk is also a good |
| comes to processed meat; many of them are cured | | | | idea; it's a good source of calcium. But if you are |
| with chemicals or sugar, which can pack on the carbs. | | | | lactose-intolerant, it would be a good idea to drink |
| Mosey along over to the poultry section and think | | | | milk in small quantities periodically until you find that |
| about recipes for chicken, turkey, duck, and | | | | you no longer have any adverse reactions to it. |
| pheasant. These are rich in protein and other | | | | Eating out also used to be a problem for low carb |
| nutrients (but not carbs) and can be cooked and | | | | dieters. Restaurant staff didn't have a clue about the |
| served in many attractive and great-tasting ways. | | | | carb content of food. Today however, many dining |
| Want to take advantage of the bounties of the | | | | establishments have taken measures to |
| ocean and lakes? Choose from among fish and other | | | | accommodate carb-counting consumers. A number of |
| seafood, which are also high in protein and fatty | | | | them even list what type of low carb foods they |
| acids that are good for your heart. | | | | offer and the nutritional information of each dish. Do |
| Feel like serving a salad as a side dish? You'll be | | | | you want a hamburger without the buns? A salad |
| pleased to know that most salad vegetables are | | | | with low carb dressing? All of these and more are |
| allowed on low carb diets. And this is a good thing | | | | possible today. |
| because you should be getting your carbohydrate | | | | As you have perhaps realized, finding low carb foods |
| quota from vegetables, not from junk food, not | | | | is not at all that hard, especially the natural ones. In |
| from starchy goodies. Although the intake of a | | | | fact, it's entirely likely that you have been consuming |
| number of fruits should be kept to a minimum, fruits | | | | these foods all your life without realizing that they |
| like berries can be enjoyed without guilt. What about | | | | are suitable for weight loss or weight maintenance. |
| snack food? Snacks exist in a reduced-carbohydrate | | | | And if you concentrate on these foods, you'll |
| diet, too, but not the processed kind. Go au naturel - | | | | probably find that you won't have time anymore to |
| nuts are perfect for something to munch on in | | | | bemoan and worry about carbohydrate-rich foods |
| between meals. They're high in protein and contain | | | | that you have had to give up. |