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Turning up the furnace on your weight loss….
1. Getting started on a low-carb weight loss diet
The first step: What should you eat?
Foods for weight loss…….
Many of the best foods for weight loss are very low in carbs, nutritious, and filling, such as:
Eggs
Seafood
Meat
Cheese
Non-starchy vegetables
Some – but not all – studies have shown that adhering to low-carb diets based on these foods results in better weight loss than following low-fat diets.
How many carbs can I eat?
Foods to avoid for weight loss
You probably already have some idea of the types of foods you should stay away from on a low-carb weight loss diet. Many of them are the same kinds of foods you would limit on any diet, such as:
Cake, cookies, ice cream, and other desserts
Pancakes and waffles
Chips and fries
Fizzy drinks and other sweet drinks including fruit juice
But there are also some foods to avoid that may surprise you, like:
Whole-grain breads and cereals
Milk
High sugar fruit (berries are likely the best options)
It’s not that these foods are “evil” or “bad” for you, but they do break down into sugars that can raise your insulin levels and potentially make it harder to lose weight.
Meal planning tips…….
Low-carb meal planning is really quite simple:
Start with a generous serving of protein (meat, fish, eggs, cheese, or tofu).
Add as many non-starchy vegetables as you want.
Include a tablespoon or more of fat (such as butter or olive oil) for cooking. Fat will make those low-carb veggies taste delicious, so add dressing, drizzle, or dip — enough to feel satisfied.
Season with salt, herbs, and spices.
Include a glass of water or another low-carb beverage.
Using vegetables as substitutes for bread, pasta, and rice is a two-for-one special. It not only reduces the carb content of your meal, but it also boosts the nutritional value as well:
Use lettuce in place of bread for sandwiches and burgers.
Shred cauliflower and pan-fry in oil to make cauliflower “rice” for use in a low-carb burrito bowl or as a side dish for meat or fish.
Cut zucchini into spirals to make noodles, aka “zoodles.” Sauté them in butter and garlic, then top with chicken or your protein of choice.
Boil cauliflower until tender, then blend together with butter, cream, and salt to make mashed “faux-tatoes” as a side dish — and an excellent gravy transport vehicle — for turkey or other protein.
2. Why you aren’t losing weight with low carb
Despite the best of intentions, both newbies and experienced low carbers sometimes do things that can slow down weight loss. These include eating too many nuts, consuming a lot of dairy, or simply eating too often.
Here’s a list of common low-carb weight loss mistakes to avoid:
Fear of fat: Many people find it hard to give themselves permission to eat fat when they begin a low-carb diet. This is perfectly understandable, since we’ve all heard that fat is bad for our health and that eating fat will make us fat.
However, the fat found in natural, unprocessed foods does not appear to be unhealthy. Just remember to not overdo it since the calories in fatty foods can add up quickly.
To succeed on a very low-carb diet, you should lose your fear of fat.
There’s no need to add heaps of butter or pour oil on your food, but it’s fine to include a tablespoon or more during or after cooking.
Eating too many nuts: Yes, they’re healthy, delicious, and generally low in carbs, but nuts are also one of the easiest foods to over-consume. Your mind wanders for one second and a whole bowl of macadamia nuts disappears! According to a large review of several trials, overweight people seem to take in more calories overall when they eat nuts.
Eating too much dairy: Like nuts, dairy products are tasty, nutritious and all too easy to overeat. Avoid milk on a strict low-carb diet because it contains lactose (milk sugar). Yet even full-fat, low-carb dairy like cheese and yogurt may interfere with weight loss in some cases.
Eating too often or too much: Although low-carb meals generally help people feel full for several hours, many of us have a habit of snacking frequently. But eating mini-meals throughout the day may not be great for losing weight. In fact, eating only two or three times a day may be your best bet.
Also important: Try eating only when you are hungry and stop as soon as you begin feeling full.
Indulging in low-carb treats: Sugar-free ice cream, keto candy, and low-carb baked goods can be tempting, but — like their high-carb counterparts — can get in the way of weight loss. The worst offenders? Packaged “low-carb” or “keto” bars, which often contain sugar alcohols that may impede your progress. Still, even homemade low-carb treats should be minimized because they’re easy to over-consume and may lead to carb cravings.
Consuming too many keto-friendly drinks: Although plain water is the only beverage your body needs, coffee, tea, and certain alcoholic beverages can also be enjoyed on a low-carb diet. But keep in mind that drinking too much alcohol or butter coffee can slow down weight loss. To get the best results, limit yourself to just one glass or cup per day.
3. Frequently asked questions
How fast will I lose weight on a low-carb diet?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to know how quickly you’ll lose weight on low carb, because it varies so much from person to person. Some people lose 5kgs or more the first month, while others — who may be trying just as hard — lose about half that much within the same period of time.
Generally speaking, the more extra weight you are carrying, the more you’ll lose at the beginning. However, weight loss tends to slow down for everyone after the first few weeks, because part of the initial weight loss is water rather than fat. That’s OK, because it’s no fun to carry around extra kilos of water weight, either!
Also, research has shown that weight loss tends to slow down when carb intake is gradually increased during a study, even if people are technically still eating low carb (around 100 grams per day).
What is the “keto flu,” and how can I prevent it?
The keto flu or low-carb flu occurs when transitioning from a higher carb diet to a very low-carb diet. Symptoms typically include: headache, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
Will I be able to eat more carbs after I lose weight?
Perhaps, although you’ll probably need to keep your carb intake well below where it was before you started low carb.
Many people find that they get the best weight loss results eating about 20 grams of net carbs per day and can maintain their new weight eating twice that much or more. Still, some prefer to remain around 50 grams or so most of the time. This is something we can experiment with after your initial analysis with us.
The science is clear and so is the way forward: low carb can be a safe and effective way to lose weight. And here, at Titan you’ll have plenty of company along the way.
Although not everyone experiences major or rapid weight loss on low carb, this way of eating will allow you to lose weight at your own pace, while enjoying delicious food without going hungry.
We want to support your weight loss journey in any way we can by utilizing our body analysis tests and macronutritient planning we can support you with a personalized plan and support system and other helpful tools that are available whenever you need them.
We also have content on how to eat a higher-satiety diet that may help you fine-tune your low carb eating for even more success with healthy weight loss.
Here’s to losing weight on low carb in a healthy, sustainable way!
For more info on our nutritional guidance and fitness programs contact us!
Want to lose some weight?
What could be better than having your very own personalized plan. Knowing your body inside and out, it’s the first step to weight loss, don’t train blindfolded 🙈, get it right the first time! Contact us now for more information and let a nutritionist and fitness professional do the work!