Low-carb High Protein Diets | Best Syndication

Have you ever wondered just exactly what is considered
low carb?

Read the article below to see what kinds of food will and
won't make the list.

Low-carb High Protein Diets

This type of diet became very popular as of recently due
to the promotion of the ever-popular Atkins Diet Craze.
This diet is very popular because there is no calorie
counting involved, and many foods that many people
love to eat are allowed on the diet.

Further, the Atkins diet is a high-protein diet, which
means that weight lost during this diet will not result
in lost muscle mass, since protein is the main nutrient
needed for maintaining healthy muscle tone. This diet
basically eliminates carbohydrates, which are simple
sugars or foods that break down into simple sugars.
These serve as empty calories in your diet, providing
no nutrients yet many calories.

While we won't cover the Atkins diet here, we can give
you basics of the high-protein, low-carb diet.

First let us identify carbohydrates. Sugar, including
powdered sugar, granulated white sugar, brown
sugar, or any type of sugar you can think of, is the
main carbohydrate that you would need to
eliminate.

All types of pastas count as carbohydrates, meaning all
noodle and spaghetti products must be eliminated.

Starches of any type, such as white rice, potatoes and
potato chips, need to be eliminated. Cereals are mostly
carbohydrates and should be avoided entirely during the
diet phase. Because of the low-carb craze, there are many
low-carb options of sodas, milk, ice cream, bread, beer,
and wine available in the average supermarket.

If you do consume these, be sure to do so only occasionally
and in moderation, even if it is a low-carb type. Otherwise,
the aforementioned foods should be eliminated entirely
when not of the low-carb type. Beware of foods that contain
hidden sugars, like bacon, barbeque sauce, ketchup, salad
dressing, cough syrup, and fruit juice.

As strange as it may seem, fruits and fruit juices should be
eliminated while in the weight loss phase of this diet, as
they are nearly pure carbohydrates. Anything made with
flour needs to be eliminated during the weight loss phase,
since as mentioned earlier they are high in carbohydrates.

Now what can you eat? Well, the good news is that you can
eat all meats, fish, poultry and seafood, except prepared
meats like bacon and honey baked ham, which are high in
sugar. Skip the bread and have meat and salad, or meat in
your salad.

Eggs are very low-carb friendly, but be sure to skip the
mayonnaise or salad dressing unless it is low-carb type
mayonnaise or dressing. Any type of vegetable is fine, but
be sure to realize that when making that salad that tomatoes
are actually a fruit, and you want to limit your consumption
of them at least during the weight loss phase.

Choose brown rice as your starch replacement, as it is low
in carbohydrates comparatively to potatoes, bread or white
rice. Cheese is good in limited amounts, as this is a high-protein,
low-carb food. Butter and cream can be used, but should be
consumed in limited amounts. One complex carbohydrate
that is good is fiber, as it does not break down into simple
sugar, and helps the body with elimination. Further, fiber fills
you up quickly without adding significant calories, so hunger
pangs are fought off successfully.

Finally, make sure you are drinking at least eight 8-ounce
glasses of water a day minimum in addition to any other
liquid you may consume. Dehydration often masquerades as
hunger and causes overeating. Of course, again exercise is a
necessary and vital part of your diet plan, which we will cover
in the next section on exercise.

Once you lose the weight that you set out to lose, the weight
loss phase of your diet is over. Of course keep in mind that you
are making lifestyle changes, not going on fad or binge diets.
This means that you will not go back to your old eating habits.

Instead you will introduce certain foods back into your diet in
moderation. For example, you may add a couple of strips of
bacon once a week to your meal plan. You can enjoy small
portions of deserts of any kind, simply in moderation. It is
best to avoid soft drinks all together, or opt for the low-carb
type permanently.

If you do introduce any other carbohydrate-laden foods, be
sure to do so only at one meal, and in small portions. Reducing
carbohydrates will become a lifestyle to you when following
this plan, one is very likely to boost your overall energy level
and help you keep the weight off.

By Kirsten Hawkins
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville,
TN. Visit www.popular-diets.com/ for more great nutrition,
well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and comments on
popular diets.
===================

As you can see by Kirsten's article she promotes everything
that I've been recommending here. Stay away from simple
sugars, eat plenty of whole fruits and veggies, increase your
protein intake to support your lean mass and drink plenty
of water!




low carb diet