Carbohydrates together with, protein and fat are the three main sources of energy for the body. Therefore, a sufficient daily carbohydrate intake is vital for ones well-being. However, certain individuals may want to reduce their daily carbohydrate consumption using methods such as, eating low carbohydrate foods. This is normally done for weight control and obesity treatment. Low carb diets or eating low carbohydrate foods is also recommended for diabetic and epilepsy patients, although this remains a controversial issue.
Besides aiding weight loss activities, the consumption of low carbohydrate foods will also keep the body in a better state, especially if ones suffering from any health problems such as heart disease. It is even the recommended diet for many popular lifestyles. Generally, eating low carbohydrate foods carry many certain health benefits for the body as many of these foods are rich sources of protein and minerals. Furthermore, low carb diets help an individual to lose weight by reducing their calorie consumption. Although individuals who eat low carbohydrate foods generally consume more protein and fat than average, they have a fewer calorie intake. Therefore, low carbohydrate diets are considered more effective than low fat diets.
The list of low carbohydrate foods fall into certain categories such as, high protein (meat, fish etc.), vegetables, fats (oils) and fruits. Foods including, meat (chicken, beef, turkey and ham), fish (cod, salmon, crab and lobster), nuts ( walnuts and macademia), cheese and eggs are rich sources of protein, while being low on carbohydrates. However, processed or canned meats and nuts such as buckwheat and peanuts should be avoided under this category.
Vegetables are also generally considered low carbohydrate foods, although certain types of vegetables are ample sources of carbohydrates. These should be avoided by an individual on a low carbohydrate diet. Vegetables, for instance, celery, lettuce, cucumber, broccoli and cabbages are ideal while manioc, sweet potatoes and potatoes should be avoided.
Oils such as olive, coconut, walnut, and canola oils and products such as unsalted cream butter are low carbohydrate foods and would provide the individual with the necessary levels of fat required in the daily diet. In addition, fruits and berries including, apples, oranges, grapes, raspberries cherries and strawberries would be perfect for ones diet. However, fruit juices lack fiber and tend to increase the blood sugar level. Besides fruit juice, dried fruits are also not recommended.
Eating low carbohydrate foods would prove beneficial for ones health in the long run. Information about planning a low carb diet could be obtained through a dietician or the World Wide Web.
