10 Low Carb Foods
Carbohydrates help to supply us with the energy that we need. They are found in a huge variety of foods from unhealthy, processed foods to healthy options such as fruits and vegetables. Even when found in healthy foods, however, carbs contribute to fattening as the unused energy gets stored as fat.
Low carb diets aim to reduce excess stored fat by forcing the body to turn to fat reserves for energy. Such diets can also be useful, or even necessary, for people with certain health conditions. Although many foods do contain a lot of carbs, there are still plenty that do not. Thankfully, some of those with few or no carbs are also among the most delicious and nutritious.
Low Carb Food #1: Eggs
Eggs are among the most nutritious of all foods on the planet. They are packed with protein that helps provide the building blocks for our bodies, as well as numerous other vitamins and minerals that help to keep us healthy and well. They can also be used in a wide range of dishes, from making simple snacks to being ingredients in high-end meals.
The benefits don’t stop there, either, as eggs are very low in carbohydrates. Just around 1% of the nutrition in an egg consists of carbohydrates. This makes eggs a godsend to people on low-carb diets that are looking for maximum nutrition, not forgetting that they are simply delicious.
Low Carb Food #2: Cheese Burgers
Burgers have a bad name in health food circles, but it is not a reputation that is entirely deserved. While a burger from a fast food chain is not exactly healthy for you, that is largely down to poor quality ingredients being used. When quality, fresh ingredients are used, burgers make for a highly nutritious meal. Even better for people on a low carb diet, high fat diet is that you are free to add a slice of cheese or two as well.
Be mindful, though, that burger buns and some sauces do come packed with carbs. Find low carb alternatives, though, and cheeseburgers make an excellent addition to a low-carb diet.
Low Carb Food #3: Meat
As omnivores, we have evolved to eat meat in addition to fruits and vegetables. Meat is an excellent source of many essential nutrients, particularly protein and important fats. It is also tasty, comes in many flavours, and can be used extensively in cooking. Another solid benefit of having meat in your diet is that it is low in carbohydrates. In fact, most meats contain no carbohydrates at all.
If you are on a low-carb, high-fat diet then you are free to eat high-fat joints for extra flavour. Just remember to lay off sauces that might add and other high-carb accompaniments such as pasta and rice. Eat plenty of meat without the carbs, and you may well find that you soon begin to lose excess fat.
Low Carb Food #4: Fish
Fish is very popular among people that are trying to eat healthy diets. In addition to being full of protein, it is also very low in fat and packed full of essential nutrients. Compounds such as omega 4 fatty acids that are found in fish also offer additional benefits such as enhancing the health of our brains, hearts, skin and joints.
As with meats, another benefit of fish is that it has no carbohydrate content whatsoever. This is great news for people on a low carb diet as not only is it nutritious, it is also delicious. Just be mindful of how it is served to ensure you make the most of the no carb content.
Low Carb Food #5: Vegetables
We are often told by dieticians that we should have a certain amount of vegetables in every meal. They are packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for our health and well being. They are also low in fat and are ideal for people on a healthy diet. What’s more is that many types of vegetables are low in carbohydrates.
Not all veggies are low in carbs, so check first to be sure. Those particularly low in carbs include Bell Peppers, mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli and cauliflower. Select the right types, and you are well on your way to a tasty, nutritious and healthy low carb diet.
Low Carb Food #6: Butter
Butter has a terrible reputation for being very unhealthy, although it is actually very nutritious for us. While it is true that it is high in fat content, these tend to be ‘good’ fats. What’s more is that butter is also packed with essential vitamins and minerals. While excessive fat is not good for us, fat is good to have in a low-carb, high-fat diet. In such a diet, the fat gets processed for energy instead of carbs, helping us to actually lose excess stored fat.
Remember to use natural butter, though, and not highly processed alternatives. Such alternatives are likely to be high in carbs and without the nutritional value. Another great reason to use natural butter instead of butter alternatives is that butter is absolutely delicious in cooking.
Low Carb Food #7: Cheese
Cheese, for many people, is one of those foods that we try to keep clear of but find it so difficult to do so. Known for its high-fat content, cheeses are often off the menu for people on healthy, weight loss diets, but it doesn’t always have to be the case. On a low carb diet, you can have pretty much all the cheese you want, within reason of course.
Cheese is very low in carbs, making it ideal for people on a low-carb, high-fat diet. Instead of worrying about the fat, it becomes a nutritional benefit instead. What’s more is that cheese is packed with other nutrients such as calcium, protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Low Carb Food #8: Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is often lauded for its health benefits and is thought to be able to help with the health of the brain and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. This is partly down to the fact that it helps to induce ketosis, which helps provide a source of energy to the brain other than those from carbohydrates. This ability to induce ketosis is great for people on a low carb, ketosis diet because achieving ketosis is the aim.
Coconut oil contains no carbs itself and is also a healthy option for frying because it produces no free radicals when heated. What’s more is that it smells great and tastes great and can help you create something quite different in the kitchen.
Low Carb Food #9: Berries
As healthy as fruit is, some types are very high in carbohydrates. This is unfortunate to people on a low-carb diet because fruit is otherwise full of vitamins and minerals that are essential for our well-being. Even something as healthy as an apple cannot make it into a low carb diet, which may leave some wondering where they will get their vitamins from.
The good news, though, is that berries can help people on a low-carb diet to get that fruit fix and the nutrition that comes with it. Strawberries and blueberries have relatively low levels of carbs, making them OK for low carb diets when eaten in moderation.
Low Carb Food #10: Yogurt
Yoghurts are such a tasty treat that it can be easy to forget that they are actually very good for us. They are very good sources of protein as well as other essential vitamins and minerals. What’s more is that they are an excellent source of bacteria that are beneficial to our digestive system.
You should make sure that you go for natural yoghurt or Greek yoghurt. Make sure also that you go for plain yoghurt as the flavoured varieties tend to be enhanced with carbohydrate-rich additives. If you want to add some flavour, try adding some chopped up low-carb fruit.
