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Sunday 9 February 2014

Low Carb Ideas To Stay Healthy And Eat Well

By Jayne Rutledge


Roughly one in seven people in the world is overweight. So many people are clinically obese that it's become a health emergency. A diet rich in carbs is often blamed for the obesity epidemic and if you need to shed a couple of pounds, it helps to limit your carb intake. Everyone who has tried to do just that knows how difficult it can be, but here are some low carb ideas that will help you enjoy a healthy and yummy diet.

Carbohydrates are not intrinsically the bad guys when it comes to weight gain. Your body actually needs carbs to help keep you going. The problem however is that many people eat the wrong type of carbs. Refined and highly processed carbs such as pasta, white flour and sugar mess with your insulin levels and you feel hungry much more quickly, so you eat more. They can also increase the risk of diabetes. Vegetables, beans and brown rice are much healthier options but even they should be eaten in moderation. Proteins and fats are better at helping you feel full.

Breakfast is one of the easiest meals to keep low carb. Instead of those cereals, toast and pancakes, go for eggs, because they're high in protein and there are millions of ways in which to prepare them. For something different but easy, try the Mexican favorite of 'huevos rancheros' or break an egg into a hollowed-out bell pepper or tomato and bake it.

Lunch and dinner is easy to keep low in carbs too. There are many things you can do with a piece of fish, a chicken breast or a steak. If you're vegetarian or vegan, your options for quick and easy meals can seem more limited but they're not really. Make a fragrant stir-fry with veggies and tofu or add some beans or garbanzos to a salad to give it more substance and protein.

There are wonderful ways to deal with feeling hungry in between meals. Raw veggies with hummus, cheese and jerky are just some. If you're dying for some potato chips, try crunchy and salty parmesan or pepperoni crisps instead. Make nuts and seeds less bland by coating them in a bit of melted butter and spices.

If you have a sweet tooth but need to avoid carbs, you probably know all about munching on blueberries until you feel blue yourself. Luckily you don't have to deprive yourself of chocolate. Just use dark chocolate instead because it's lower in carbs. Sugar-free jellies are great too and if you crave cake, reduce its carb content by using almond or garbanzo flour.

For any diet to be healthy, there needs to be balance. Check your intake of sodium and eat many good fats such as olive oil and avocados to regulate cholesterol levels. Eat many fiber-rich veggies to keep your digestive track healthy.

There are many websites where you can get fantastic low carb ideas. You may also try recipe books from the library or bookstore. Don't forget that your own imagination is a great source of ideas too, so experiment without fear.




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