Friday, August 13, 2010

Tips For Staying on a Low Carb Diet

By Lisa Ann Mac
Once you have been on a low carb diet for a few weeks, your cravings for sweets should decrease and your energy levels are likely to increase. If you are new to low carb and finding it difficult to stay on the meal plan, there are plenty of resources available to help you get through it.

Join a low carb forum. This is a great place to go if you have questions or need some advice. It is likely that your question has already been answered on the forum, but if not, there are plenty of folks out there to provide assistance. Forums are a place to meet others in various stages of low carb living.

Start a blog. A blog is a great way to share your experiences with others. If you aren't into writing on the web, try jotting things down in a journal. A blog or journal is the perfect place to to go back and see how far you've come and what you've learned along your journey.

Prepare your meals in advance and take advantage of your freezer. Look for dishes that freeze well and store them in smaller freezer containers or vacuum seal. These homemade frozen dinners are handy when time is tight. Baked goods like brownies and sweet breads can be frozen in single size portions for quick snacks later.

Keep healthy snacks handy. When things get hectic and busy, it's easy to just grab a bite for the road. Some great finger foods to have are almonds, berries, cheese sticks, and hard boiled eggs. Cut up raw vegetables like celery, broccoli, cauliflower and cucumber slices and have them ready in the refrigerator for quick snacks.

Try new foods. Just like anything, it's easy to get bored with the same thing all the time. Find new recipes to try and share. There are a variety of low carb foods available and even more choices if you are willing to learn to prepare foods yourself.

Most important, do not give up. Think of it as a lifestyle change, not a diet. Changing old habits will take time, but it is well worth the effort.

Lisa Ann Mac is a working mother who enjoys cooking and developing healthy recipes for her family. Lisa specializes in low carb cuisine and shares her low carb recipes on a food blog at SugarFreeLowCarb.com.

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