Low Carb Foods and Snacks

Low-carbohydrate diets or low-carb diets are usually followed with the purpose to control or reduce weight or to treat obesity. However, another equally important reason for some to follow this diet is as treatments for some other conditions, usually diabetes or epilepsy. Whatever your reasons to follow this diet, here are some low carb foods and snacks to incorporate.

Fruits
Fruits are ideal low carb foods, as they can be incorporated into any meal or eaten at any time of the day. Most fruits are low in carbohydrates, and these are the ones lowest in sugar: lemon or lime, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries. The fruits that are low to medium in sugar are: strawberries, casaba melon, papaya, watermelon, peaches, nectarines, blueberries, cantaloupes, honeydew melons, apples, guavas (pineapple guavas and strawberry guavas), apricots and grapefruit.

Vegetables
Most vegetables can find a place on a low carb diet. Many of these veges are high in fiber, and are in an ascending order of their carbohydrate content. Vegetables that sprout, such as alfalfa, beans, etc. are at the top of the list. They are followed by the leafy ones: spinach, lettuce, chard, etc. Then come mustard greens, collards, kale, radicchio and endive. They are followed by herbs - parsley, basil, cilantro, thyme, rosemary etc. after which come bok choy, celery, radish, sea vegetables (nori, etc), cabbages (or sauerkraut), a few types of edible mushrooms, jicama, avocados, cucumbers (or pickles without added sugars), asparagus, green beans and wax beans, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, summer squash, zucchini, scallions or green onions, bamboo shoots, leeks, brussels sprouts, snow peas, tomatoes, eggplant, tomatillos, artichokes, fennel, onions, okra, spaghetti squash, celery root (celeriac), carrots, turnip, water chestnuts and pumpkin. However, if you need to follow a strict diet, you should keep a count of the carbs you consume and decide your helpings accordingly.

Meat, Seafood and Eggs
Most meats are high in protein and possess no carbohydrates. However, carbs may get added on based on the preparations. Thus it is a good idea to include beef, chicken, and turkey in your diet. Just beware of organ meats, as some contain carbohydrates. Since some hams and luncheon meats have added sugars, so check the labels prior to purchase. Minimize consumption of processed meats. Most fish too do not contain carbohydrates, however, lobsters, oysters, clams and scallops have small quantities. eggs are another low carb high protein food, though some diets will tell you to avoid the yolks. Be aware that ham and luncheon meats often have added sugars - check the labels or have the deli worker do it.

Dairy Products and Tofu
Milk contains an amount of lactose (milk sugar). Thus milk and milk products need to be consumed with caution. One cup (8 fluid ounces) of whole milk has 11.4 grams of carbohydrate while fat-free (skim) milk has 11.9 grams. However, small quantities of cheese, cottage cheese and some yogurts are well tolerated by people who are sensitive to sugar. Tofu is also a good option, as half a cup of tofu has only 1 gram of effective carbohydrate.

Low Carb Snacks
One may feel that a low carb diet limits their breakfast options. However, a little bit of creativity can open up whole new avenues. Low carb breakfast foods range from an exotic cream cheese spinach omelet, or a mushroom herb omelet. Alternately, you could try a low carb apple pancake or a low-carb breakfast burritos. Some snacks for breakfast, lunch or in between are hard-boiled eggs, nuts, sausages, strawberry low-carb shake, deviled eggs, tuna salad, ¼ cup berries with 1/3 cup cottage cheese, cheese sticks, and sugar-free Jello, alone or combined with cottage cheese and nuts. You can microwave pepperoni slices until they turn crisp, and voilà, you have pepperoni chips! Enjoy them with a dip. Another healthy snack is to pile cucumber slices with smoked salmon and cream cheese. You could also prepare mushrooms stuffed with cheese spread or a dip.

I hope all this information on low carb foods and snacks will help you deal with the demands of your dietary changes. Now that you know all the foods you should and should not eat, you are well equipped to come up with your own low carb snacks. All you need to do is replace the foods you cannot eat with low carb alternatives.