Over the years, the buzz around low carb diets has grown louder. If you are looking to change your overall eating habits or lose weight, a low carb diet is a sound way to do it.
A typical low carb diet limits carbohydrates — such as those found in grains, starchy vegetables and fruit — and emphasizes foods high in protein and fat. Carbohydrates are the fuel for your body, but eating too many carbohydrates can cause serious problems.
During digestion, sugars and starches are broken down and enter your bloodstream as simple sugars. When your blood sugar goes up, your body releases insulin. The insulin allows sugars to enter your body’s cells. From there, it works to “fuel” your body. The extra sugar is stored for later or converted into fat. Thus, the idea behind the low carb diet is to decrease the amount of sugar levels consumed forcing your body to burn stored fat.
Here are a few of our do’s and don’ts of low carb diets.
DO – Set a goal to get no more than 60 grams of net carbohydrates per day. To figure out your net carbs, you’ll need to do a little math. First, look at the total carbohydrate and daily fiber numbers on your food labels. Then, subtract the fiber from the carbohydrates to get the true “net carbohydrate” total.
DO – Choose high fiber foods that will help lower your net carbohydrates.
DO – Enjoy foods such as vegetables, meats, eggs, nuts, beans, fruit, dairy, yogurt and sugar free drinks.
DON’T eat WHITE foods! Foods such as white bread, white pasta, white rice, white potatoes and sugars are not good choices on a low calorie diet.
DO – Remember that chips, crackers and cereal all fall into the bread category. Limit these items in your diet!
DON’T drink that! Soda, beer and drink mixers are often full of sugar. Instead, opt for lemon water or a sugar free drink.
DO consult with a doctor or one of our healthcare professionals before you begin any new diet program.
DO Click the “Schedule an Appointment” tool at the top of this page or call MediPlan at 901-362-7546 to take your first step to a healthier, happier you.