Starting a weight loss diet is one of the main resolutions for those starting off the new year. However, many people go about it all wrong as they focus on cutting out fatty foods instead of simple carbs.
A low carb diet is generally a great way to go about losing weight, but there’s a lot more to it than simply cutting carbs.
Here we’ll be looking at different ways to cut the carbs this year and to find out more, especially regarding alcohol consumption, you can check out Tennent’s.
Focus on Cutting Sugar
To effectively lose weight, cutting carbs won’t be enough to make a noticeable difference. One of the largest culprits regarding weight gain. Most products have carbohydrates consisting of different types of sugar and sugar substitutes.
This is where you’ll need to look out for ingredients such as fructose, xylose, cane crystals, dextrose, and malt syrup.
These will usually be found in fruit juice and other sugar-sweetened beverages. Refined sugar is another ingredient that can be found in breakfast cereals and baked goods.
Keep this in mind during your next shopping trip as these can have a drastic effect on your weight and blood sugar levels.
Use Vegetables to Substitute Grains
Vegetables aren’t only a great source of vitamins and minerals but they do a fantastic job of acting as the foundation of many low carb diets.
For instance, portobello mushrooms can be used as a bun for a burger and a savoury vegetable dish can substitute oatmeal.
This will drastically lower your carb intake and naturally increase the number of healthy fats and non-starchy vegetables you’re consuming.
Unrefined grains should be your main source of complex carbs. This includes sweet potatoes, whole-grain bread, and brown rice.
Cut Down on Fruit
Fresh fruit might seem like a healthy option, but studies have shown that fruits contain plenty of natural sugars.
While these can form part of a balanced diet, they contain too much sugar to be considered a viable part of a weight-loss diet.
Too much fruit can also cause tooth decay and digestive issues. We wouldn’t recommend completely cutting them out as they are low in calories and are great snack foods.
Avoid Processed Snacks
Another key to eating fewer carbs is to avoid anything that comes in a packet such as potato chips, pastries, crumbed meat, and so on. These are loaded with saturated fats and highly refined grains that contain high sugar content.
Whole fruit and air fried vegetables with some olive oil are great alternatives to snacks made with white flour.
These are void of empty calories and are better than most low carb snacks that you can find on a shelf at your local supermarket.
Deploy a High-Protein Diet
One of the keys to eating fewer carbs is to focus on healthy protein sources such as fatty fish, chicken, and other forms of organic meat.
This has a range of health benefits while allowing you to eat fewer carbs without sacrificing any aspect of your diet.
Ultimately, this can be a bit more expensive, but adding as little as one egg to your meal can make a big difference.