8 Tips to Low-Carb Cooking

You’ve decided to go low-carb? Great!

Now what, I hear you asking.

Going low-carb can initially seem like a very daunting task. After all, carbs are all around us, and knowing where to start can be quite overwhelming.

Main image by Joshuemd Pixabay

Let’s take a look at eight tips that will help make your transition into low-carb less stressful and more manageable.

Take it One Meal at a Time

Instead of trying to swap all of your meals for their low-carb options in the space of a week, give yourself more time to adjust. Both your body and your mind will appreciate it.

Start by making changes to just one meal. You can start with your snacks, or if you want to make it a full meal, go for breakfast. This is usually a meal you have at home and have full control over.

Swap your toast for eggs or some yoghurt with fruit, and once you adjust to this change, work on swapping other meals as well.

Learn More about the Foods you Should Be Eating

Low-carb does not mean no-carb, so you are still allowed (and should definitely) eat some carbs. Knowing which foods to eliminate and which ones to keep on the menu will be your main challenge as you begin your transition.

This website provides a detailed guide on what to eat, so you can start by checking out their list and making notes about the kinds of foods you need to stock your pantry with.

Make Sure you are Eating Enough

Cutting down on carbs also means you are cutting down on calories, so you need to make sure you’re eating enough to stay healthy.

You will need to adjust your protein and fat intake, so depending on how low-carb your diet is, work on adding enough fat to your diet - this will be your source of energy.

You can use a calorie calculator at first until you get used to your new meal plan and can reasonably predict how many calories each meal has without it.

Drink Plenty of Water

You may experience some digestive issues as you make the switch to a low-carb diet, which is perfectly normal. While you may not be able to eliminate them completely, drinking plenty of water can help you ease the symptoms and feel better.

Of course, staying hydrated is also one of the keys to wellbeing, so having a reminder and another reason to drink more water can be extra beneficial.

Avoid Carbs when Shopping

If you know a certain food is just sitting there in your kitchen or pantry, you will need to exercise extra willpower not to eat it. Try not to buy it in the first place instead, so as to eliminate the temptation.

If you are the only person in your household going low-carb, store your carbs away from your fats and proteins.

That way you won’t have to look at them, and if you also don’t take part in buying them, you might be less aware of their existence in your home.

Read your labels

Food manufacturers have found a way to sneak carbs in where you would least expect them, so you will have to practice a certain level of vigilance as you’re getting started.

Read every label before you make a purchase until you get used to buying items that fit in with your low-carb meal plan. You can also do a quick Google search for low-carb items others have tried and would recommend.

Reconsider Dining out

Before you head out to a restaurant, check their menu - you may find they don’t have a meal you would be okay with eating.

You shouldn’t swear off going out altogether; just try to find restaurants that offer low-carb options.

When you do go out, try not to be swayed into drinking a soda or adding something to your order you know is high in carbs. 

Yes, it will take some willpower, but once you master it, you’ll notice how much less tempted you are in the first place.

Stick to it

Our final piece of advice is to just keep at it - you may find some days more difficult than others, and you might miss certain foods more than you expected. 

But perseverance is the key to adopting a new meal plan. If you just stay the path, you will find it gets easier the further you walk down on it.

To Sum it up

Best of luck on your low-carb journey! Try to implement some of this advice, and hopefully, it will help you in your efforts to become the best version of yourself.