How does a low carb diet work?

The typical diet includes foods that contain carbohydrates like white bread products, pasta, and any foods or drinks with sugars. Carbohydrates can be lowered or cut out of a diet completely in order to lose weight. When simple carbohydrates are consumed the body first reaches for the carbohydrates for energy. When carbohydrates are cut out of the diet the body reaches into the fat stores and burns those off instead resulting in weight loss. Following a low carb diet results in increase of energy and a loss of body fat.

Low carb diets are very effective and not very hard to stick to because delicious foods containing fats can be consumed. Low carb foods that are high in protein and fiber help to keep the body feeling satiated and full. It may seem different at first to only be consuming high protein and low carbohydrate foods but the body adjusts quickly to the change in diet and cravings for carbohydrates begin to disappear within the first week on a low carbohydrate diet.

It is important not to skip meals when on a low carb diet because the body needs high protein meals every couple of hours so that the metabolism is kept on an even keel. Instead of eating three large meals a day it is recommended to eat about 5 small meals a day that are consumed every couple of hours. Breakfast should be eaten within the first 30 minutes of waking to jumpstart the metabolism, followed by a snack mid morning. Lunch should be eaten around noon and a mid afternoon snack should be consumed between lunch and dinner.

Some low carb foods that can be eaten at breakfast are egg and cheese omlettes with additions of salsa for huevos rancheros or with bacon and spinnach in a quiche lorraine. Low carb lunch foods like a big salad with oil and vinegar and a filet of steamed salmon with lemon is tasty and full of protein and vitamins. Some low carb foods that can be eaten at dinner are veal, steak, pork, sashimi, or chicken. All of these types of meats can be included in a low carb diet as long as they are not made using flour, bread, or any other ingredient containing a considerable amount of carbohydrates.

In between meals it is important to have snacks so that the blood sugar and metabolism stays at an even level. Nuts are a great low carb snack that is natural and easy to pack up and take to work or school. One serving size of almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, or pistachios can be tossed into a sandwich bag and they fit nicely inside a purse or brief case. Cheese is another type of delicious low carb food that can be eaten as a snack in between meals. For desserts, artificial sweeteners can be used in place of sugar to sweeten foods like whipped cream or coffee.