Swap pasta for ‘zoodles’
Do you love pasta? Well if you are looking for a carb-free diet, it doesn’t mean you have to give up pasta! Try swapping your traditional bowl of pasta with spiral zucchini. This way, it still feels like you are having pasta, whilst decreasing your carb intake, and adding more fiver and antioxidants into your diet.
Add avocados and coconut oil to your meal
All nutritional experts will all agree that you should replace carbs with healthy fats. Therefore, using avocados and coconut oil in your food is an excellent option. This is because they make you feel fuller whilst also having the important nutrients.
Eat dark chocolate
Nobody ever wants to give up chocolate, no matter how much you want to lose weight. However, instead of eating high-carb desserts, try using stevia-sweetened dark chocolate or cocoa instead. This is a healthy treat that is low in carbs and high in magnesium (which is a mineral that you could lose when cutting back on carbs).
Include protein at every meal
If you are craving carbs, it’s often a sign that something else is missing. Ensure you are eating a good source of protein at meals as this will make you feel more satisfied and fuller between meals, which will reduce your desire to snack. Protein is good for filling in the gaps, if you stop eating something like pasta, then you won’t be eating as much food.
Fill up on veggies
Eating fruit and veg is a great way to eat less carbs without staying hungry. Vegetables provide short-term fullness since they’re bulky and can fill in gaps when carbs are reduced. Along with this, if you eat your favorite vegetables often, then you are more likely to see long-term change.
Cut back on refined grain bread
I know it sounds hard, but this is such a good option if you don’t want to give up bread altogether! Whole grain bread contains vitamins and minerals, it’s also known as a complex carb, because it takes longer to digest and will affect the blood sugar gradually instead of all at once.
Avoid fruit juice
Unlike whole fruits, fruit juice doesn’t contain fiber and is usually high in fructose, which is a form of fruit sugar that is a ‘simple carb’. Therefore, if you’re looking to eat fewer carbs, trying eating whole fruits instead of fruit juice. It’s normally just as sweet, contains fiber, and will help ease your blood sugar spikes.
Choose lower-carb snacks
Carbs will add up quickly in foods like chips, pretzels and crackers. This is because they’re salty and savory and are usually low in protein and fiber. Therefore, you end up eating more than you initially intended. Instead, incorporate more low carb snacks like nuts, cheese and eggs, to have a better serving of protein and fiber.
Just think about what you’re eating at a restaurant
We aren’t saying don’t eat at restaurants, but we are saying to just keep in mind what you’re going to order. On the menu, it most likely state what is in the food, so if you are between choosing 2 meals and one has a load of carbs in it and the other doesn’t – just choose the one that doesn’t! Every small change will still make a difference!
Pay attention to food labels
Food labels will provide you with valuable information about the amount of carbs included in packaged foods. Paying attention to these labels, along with serving sizes is extremely important. Therefore, ensure you read these labels to know what portion sizes you should make to be healthier.