Posts Tagged ‘low carb’
Thursday, May 17th, 2012
 Low carb diets are known for being a great option for weight loss, but what does a low carb diet really mean? Is it as simple as lowering your intake of carbohydrates in order to lose a few pounds? Not necessarily, according to the powers that be in the diet world. There are many variations of low carb diets that can make it very difficult to know which one to choose. Read on to learn about the most popular low carb diets and the differences between them so you can better determine which one will work for you.
The Atkins Low Carb Diet
The most well-known, and likely still the most popular form of a low carb diet, The Atkins Diet has been around for decades and was the first of its kind. It allows for a very limited number of carbs in the diet, with the first few days being even more limited than later in the diet, and is likely the most extreme form of low carb dieting that people choose. It is the topic of much debate about whether the unlimited amounts of protein and limited carbs are healthy (although studies have shown that those on Atkins don’t have an increase in bad cholesterol, and in fact have an increase in good cholesterol instead). In addition, the process of putting the body into ketosis (a stage in which you consume so few carbs the body is forced to burn its own fat for fuel) can actually harm muscle mass and create a state in the body that offers quick results in a manner that is hard to maintain on a daily basis. However, it is still being debated and studied regularly, and there is likely a reason it is still the most-used low carb diet.
The Diabetic’s Low Carb Diet
For many, the entire reason for going on any type of low carb diet is due to a predisposition for (or even a diagnosis of) diabetes. However, this type of diet is not limited only to those that are at high risk of developin g the disease. Adopting a healthy low carb diet and maintaining it is one of the best ways to keep this and other diseases at bay. Because carbohydrates are processed in the body as a sugar, lowering the intake of carbs naturally leads to more regulated blood sugar levels.
According to WebMD, one study showed that diabetics on a low-carb diet designed specifically with diabetes in mind were able to cut their insulin dependency in half over a 22-month period. The diabetics’ low carb diet is one of the low carb variations that is specifically designed to regulate blood sugar levels, and it is restrictive, but not quite as restrictive as the Atkins.
Low Carbs in Phases
The South Beach Diet is a popular type of low carb diet that utilizes phases to create weight loss and better health. The beginning requires a strict Atkins-style form of carbohydrate restriction in order to eliminate the sugar and starch cravings that most people typically endure. Once the beginning strict low carb phase is passed, healthy carbs can be reintroduced to the diet. Many believe that this type of low carb diet is one of the best variations because it may be easier to stick with over time than a more restrictive type.
Eating Like a Caveman
The paleolithic diet is one type of low carb diet that offers a variation that goes by one simple rule – eat like a caveman. This variation on the low carb diet requires that you eat as you would long ago, before so many processed foods were readily available. Sugars and other modern day foods are banned, and meats are allowed in abundance (just as it would have been during paleolithic times). While dieters on the “caveman diet” typically show success in weight loss and health, in some ways it is more limiting than the Atkins form of low carb diet. Atkins promotes protein bars and other store-bought processed foods as part of the daily low carb diet, but the paleolithic diet frowns on these types of foods. Eating in an all-natural way that is also low in carb is of course a healthy option in most cases, but it might not always be easy to stick with.
Whatever type of low carb diet you choose to follow, you are sure to experience weight loss if you stick with it. And of course, it is always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider to make sure that any diet you consider undertaking is safe.
When you do choose your preferred variation of a low carb diet, be sure to stop by our store at Linda’s Diet Delites to find a variety of low carb snacks, mixes, breads and more!
Tags: Atkins, belly fat, caveman, diets, lose weight, low carb, low carb diets, south beach, types of low carb diets, weight loss, yogurt, zone
Posted in Diet Food, General Nutrition, low carb, Low Carb Diet, Updates | No Comments »
Sunday, September 25th, 2011
Quest Nutrition low carb, high protein Quest Bars are now available in Vanilla Almond Crunch, Peanut Butter Supreme, Mixed Berry Bliss, Chocolate Brownie, and Apple Pie flavor.
 Quest Bar Almond From Quest Nutrition, “QuestBars are the perfect nutrition bar for anyone looking to get top quality protein while dropping some carbs from their diet. They’re as delicious and convenient as a candy bar, while maintaining all of the nutrition of a carefully prepared meal that’s packed with fiber to make you feel full and to help with digestion and weight loss.”
Tags: low carb, Quest Bar, Sugar Free
Posted in Diet Food, low carb, Low Carb Diet, Sugar Free | No Comments »
Saturday, August 6th, 2011
 A British University study has found that patients with Type 2 diabetes were able to completely reverse the disorder through diet alone. The Newcastle University ran a study with just 11 patients and put them on a low carb and 600 calorie a day diet for eight weeks.
The research found that the extremely low calorie diet removed fat from the pancreas which then allowed normal insulin levels to be secreted. The researchers at the Northern England based university also discovered that 7 of the 11 patients remained free from diabetes 3 months after the diet had finished.
The diet consisted mainly of non-starchy vegetables and diet drinks, and over the eight week period the volunteers had the amount of fat in their livers monitored, along with the insulin in their pancreas. These results were then compared to a group of individuals who did not suffer from diabetes.
The results were astonishing; with pre-breakfast blood sugar levels at normal after just one week of the trial. MRI scans showed that the fat levels in the pancreas had dropped, allowing the organ to produce more insulin.
Professor Rob Taylor, who led the trial, said: “To have people free of diabetes after years with the condition is remarkable – and all because of an eight week diet.”
Professor Taylor, who is director of Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, continued:
“We believe this shows that type 2 diabetes is all about energy balance in the body. If you are eating more than you burn, then the excess is stored in the liver and pancreas as fat, which can lead to type 2 diabetes in some people. What we need to examine further is why some people are more susceptible to developing diabetes than others.”
The disease, also referred to as adult-onset diabetes, develops when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to regulate the blood sugar levels and fat metabolism. It differs from Type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes), which is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin.
Gordon Parmley from Newcastle, was one of the patients on the trial, the 67 year old ate only vegetables and salads and drank 3 diet shakes a day. He said that he found the diet incredibly difficult: “At first the hunger was quite severe and I had to distract myself with something else – walking the dog, playing golf – or doing anything to occupy myself and take my mind off food. But I lost an astounding amount of weight in a short space of time … after six years, I no longer needed my diabetes tablets.”
Indeed Professor Taylor himself warned that only a minority of people, perhaps 5% or 10%, would be able to stick to the harsh diet necessary to get rid of diabetes, and that diabetes sufferers should not undergo such a drastic diet without full medical support from their doctor.
Scientists at Diabetes UK, who commissioned the study said that although the trial was with a very small number of people they were looking forward to future results. Particularly if those results showed that diabetes could be completely reversed in the long term.
Tags: diabetes, low carb
Posted in Diet Food, low carb, Low Carb Diet, Sugar Free | 1 Comment »
Sunday, July 10th, 2011
Because of the health benefits of a high protein/low carb diet a lot of vegetarians are now choosing this diet as a way of life. In a traditional high protein/low carb diet a person would tend to eat a lot amount of meat or fish to obtain their protein, obviously vegetarians need to find alternative sources of protein that are not animal derived.
We’ve compiled a list of high protein food sources that will enable vegetarians to reap all the benefits of a healthy low carb diet.
Tofu
Tofu is commonly used as a meat substitute for vegetarians, and it can also be used as a high protein food source that can replaces other traditional vegetarian mainstays that are high in carbohydrates such as legumes or beans.
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| Tofu Shirataki Noodles |
Tofu has a unique texture that soaks up flavors making it an extremely useful food to use in marinades, casseroles and with sauces. It is extremely versatile and can be cooked in many ways, fried, scrambled, mashed, sliced, diced… you name it. Whatever you can do with meat, you can do with tofu.
A 3oz serving of tofu contains 2 net grams of carbohydrates.
Tempeh
Tempeh is made from fermented whole soya beans, it’s great used in stir fries, casseroles and other dishes where you would traditionally use meat. Whilst tempeh isn’t as low carb as tofu – cooked tempeh has 9 grams of carbs per 3oz serving, it does have a low glycemic index score.
Quorn
Quorn is a mycoprotein extracted from a fungus called fusarium venenatum, related to the mushroom family. It is usually sold in a ground or diced form and it’s also available as various convenience foods such as sausages and burgers. Its carb count varies depending on the product so you need to check the labels of any Quorn product you buy. Quorn does contain egg whites so is not suitable for vegans.
Dairy
Cheese, yogurt, cream and milk are all excellent sources of protein, as well as other vital nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and zinc. Vegans can use soy variations of traditional dairy products which are high in protein.
Different low carb diets advocate different types of fats, the Dukin diet for instance would promote the eating of low fat dairy products and no more than 4 eggs a weeks, whereas the Atkins diet would allow full fat versions of dairy products and an unlimited amount of eggs.
Eggs
Eggs are an incredibly versatile protein source and an excellent meat alternative. A whole egg contains 0.5 grams of carbohydrates. A light meal can be made very quickly with eggs, and eggs are a great breakfast food for those steering clear of high carb cereals.
Most of the fat and cholesterol are found in the egg yolk, so if you are on a diet that restricts your fat intake you may need to limit the number of egg yolks you eat in a week. You can however, eat as many egg whites as you like.
Vegetables
Some low carb diets are stricter than others when it comes to the types of vegetables you consume. However, the less starchy a vegetable the lower the carb count. Eat a variety of vegetables that takes in different colors and textures to ensure that you are getting a wide range of vitamins and minerals
Berries
Again some diets are strict about which fruits you can eat as a lot of fruits are quite high in carbohydrates. Berries, however, are an excellent choice, most fall into the superfoods category and are full of antioxidants, vitamins and other essential nutrients, and most importantly low in carbs. A ¾ cup of strawberries has just 9 grams of carbs compared to 21 grams in a medium sized orange.
Nuts & Seeds
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| Woodstock Farm Organic Almonds |
Nuts are a fantastic source of protein as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, zinc, copper and B and E vitamins. Whilst they are regarded as very high in fat they are full of the unsaturated kind that helps lower cholesterol and keeps your heart healthy.
Nuts and seeds can be used instead of breadcrumbs for crunchy coatings, sprinkled on your berries and yogurt in the morning or simply eaten on their own as a snack. Nuts and seeds are a must for a healthy low carb diet.
Low Carb Alternatives
Obviously low carb diets are big news and thankfully there are many products on the market that allow vegetarians and meat eaters alike to eat some of the foods that they love without spiking their blood sugar levels.
Linda’s Diet Delights has a great range of low carb foods, which covers low carb breads, low carb pastas, low carb muffins, low carb cereals and low carb candy to ensure that you stay in ketosis and keep yourself healthy and trim.
Tags: low carb, vegetarian
Posted in Low Carb Diet | No Comments »
Sunday, July 3rd, 2011
NoOodle Noodles are now available. Zero calories, zero net carb noodles created from yam flour and a touch of lime.
 NoOodle Noodles
Tags: gluten free, low carb, NoOodle Noodles, Sugar Free
Posted in Diet Food, gluten free, low carb, Low Carb Diet, Sugar Free | No Comments »
Sunday, June 26th, 2011
 Dieters often believe that the Summer is “too late to begin dieting. But because of how fast you can lose both pounds and inches on a low carb diet, it makes for a perfect late-minute approach to a Summer diet blitz!
If you’ve been considering a low carb diet for a while now, whether it be for weight loss or general health reasons, you couldn’t pick a better time to start than summer.
Of all the seasons, summer offers us the most of amount of natural choices that won’t have you feeling that you’re missing out. Our diets tend to be much lighter over the warmer months generally, and the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables on offer make meal planning much easier than with the more starchy offerings that are available over the fall and winter.
We naturally tend to eat lighter foods when it’s warm outside and are less likely to be tempted by the often carb loaded comfort foods that we crave more in the winter.
Low GI diets such as the South Beach diet actively encourage the consumption of good carbs found in abundance in the pickings of summer fruits and vegetables. Even stricter diets such as Atkins, now allow nutrient rich carbs back into the diet after the initial induction phase.
Starting a low carb diet in summer means that your body will have adjusted to its lower carb intake by the time winter comes around, and picking low carb meal choices will hopefully be second nature.
Breakfasts
How can we resist all the yummy summer fruits and berries that are readily available? Added with some Greek yogurt and a sprinkling of mixed nuts or seeds makes a nutritious and more importantly, delicious, alternative to carb loaded cereals or toast in the morning.
Some home-made muesli or granola using oats, bran, dried fruits, nuts, shredded coconut and topped with a sliced banana is a great start to the day. You can make this as low carb as you like by experimenting with ingredients. Make up a big batch that will keep you going for days. Alternatively buy some ready made low carb cereal.
Lunches
Obviously sandwiches are a no-no unless of course you’re using low carb breads, but there are plenty of other low carb options.
Salads with cold cuts of meat or grilled chicken or turkey make excellent lunch choices.
Omelettes make a great quick and easy lunch, high in protein and virtually carb free.
Cold salads made with quinoa, brown rice or pearled barley are a great way of mixing up your diet and increasing your fiber intake.
Dinners
New potatoes make an excellent low GI substitution for regular potatoes with a glycemic index of just 54 compared to 75 for French Fries.
Foregoing your carbs altogether with your evening meal is much easier to do in summer, as we don’t crave the comfort foods as much as we do in the colder months. A piece of salmon and a variety of vegetables makes a tasty and filling meal and you will barely notice the lack of potato or other high carb side.
Snacks
As long as we stay away from the ice creams and high sugar frozen popsicles, summer snacking can be easy to stick to a low carb plan. A tub of hummus with some vegetable batons makes a delicious snack, and some chicken drumsticks make great protein loaded hand-held food.
Tags: low carb, Summer Diet
Posted in Low Carb Diet | No Comments »
Sunday, June 19th, 2011
As more and more research and clinical trials take place into low-carb, high-protein diets we are discovering that there are many health advantages other than losing weight.
A new study using mice has found that low-carb diets could reduce the risk of getting cancer as well as slow the growth of tumors in cancer sufferers.
The British Columbia Cancer Research Center has been running clinical trials using mice that were fed a diet similar to the South Beach or other Low-GI diets. The mice that ate a diet that consisted of 15% carbs, 58% protein and 26% fat, were found to have slower tumor cell growth than laboratory mice that were fed a more typical American diet of 55% carbs, 23% protein and 22% fat.
The research team put mice that were predisposed to developing breast cancer into two teams, one team were fed the high-carb traditional Western diet, the other the low-carb, high-protein diet. During the first year, almost half of the mice on the high-carb diet actually developed the cancer, but none of the mice fed on the low-carb diet developed breast cancer.
During the 2 year trial only one of the mice on the high-carb diet lived his full life expectancy, and of all the mice on the western diet—70% died of cancer. In the team fed on the low-carb diet, only 30% developed cancer, and more than 50% of the mice reached their life expectancy or exceeded it.
Gerald Krystal, a scientist at the research center, said: “This shows that something as simple as a change in diet can have an impact on cancer risk” The researcher also added “On the Western diet, half of the mice had tumors by middle age. On the low-carb diet, none of the mice had the tumors”.
The study had proved that tumor cells are fed by glucose. By simply decreasing the amount of carbohydrates eaten the glucose in the body is greater reduced, so tumors cannot use it as fuel to grow. Whilst the study was based on mice, the principals should also be strong enough to be applied to our own eating habits.
In addition to this, reducing the amount of carbohydrates consumed also limits the amount of insulin the body produces. Insulin has been found in past studies to actively speed the growth of tumors in both humans and mice.
The emphasis on choosing both good carbs and good fats however, is paramount to overall health.
Tags: low carb
Posted in low carb, Low Carb Diet | No Comments »
Sunday, April 17th, 2011
Natrol Carb Intercept with Phase 2 Carb Blockers is now available in 60 capsule and 120 capsule format. From Natrol, “Supports a low-carb lifestyle by controlling carbohydrates found in breads, cereals, rice, pasta and other starch containing foods. Each serving provides 1,000 mg of Phase 2, a clinically tested ingredient that inhibits the enzyme responsible for digesting starch into simple sugars your body can absorb. Our new and improved formula also contains Foodbound Chromium, which provides 40 mcg of Chromium to help metabolize fats and proteins for energy.”
 Natrol Carb Intercept Capsules
Tags: low carb, Natrol Carb Intercept
Posted in Low Carb Diet, Supplements | No Comments »
Sunday, April 3rd, 2011
HealthSmart Foods ChocoRite Chocolate Bark and ChocoRite Chocolate Bars are now available in a variety of flavors. From Healthsmart Foods, “ChocoRite NO MALTITOL Candies – Introducing a delicious new innovative sugar-free chocolate with absolutely zero Maltitol which will not stall weight loss even for the most sensitive person! Sweetened exclusively with Erythritol and Sucralose, both of which have a glycemic index of ZERO. Finally, great taste and only ZERO glycemic sweeteners combine for effective low carb weight loss.”
 HealthSmart Foods ChocoRite Chocolate Bar
Tags: chocorite, healthsmartfoods, low car chocolate, low carb
Posted in Diet Food, low carb, Low Carb Diet, Sugar Free | No Comments »
Friday, March 18th, 2011
Take a stroll through your local supermarket, and you’ll notice a ton of new gluten free foods. Find out what a gluten free diet is all about, and whether eating gluten free might be a good dietary decision for you and your family.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a type of protein that is commonly found in most types of grain, in particular wheat, rye and barley. Because gluten is found in most cereal grains then foods such as breads, cakes, breakfast cereals and many types of processed food where gluten is as a thickener need to be avoided by those who are sensitive to gluten. Gluten can also pop up in other unexpected places such as medicines, cosmetics, lip-balm, and vitamin tablets where it’s used as a binding or bulking agent.
Why go Gluten-free?
Sufferers of the digestive disorder Celiac disease need to undertake a gluten free diet as gluten can cause severe damage to the small intestine. This damage prevents the body from absorbing the vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed from food, without these nutrients the body becomes prone to illness and fatigue.
Symptoms of Celiac disease include diarrhea, abdominal pains, weight loss, general weakness and even malnutrition. Those with Celiac disease are also more likely to suffer malabsorption problems with internal organs such as the liver and gall bladder, as well as osteoporosis, infertility, anemia, tooth enamel loss and internal bleeding. Untreated Celiac disease can be life threatening.
Who is Affected by Celiac Disease?
It’s thought that almost 1 in 133 Americans suffer from Celiac disease, although 97% of sufferers are unaware they have the disease. Celiac is a hereditary disease that usually presents itself in early infancy. However more and more adults are being diagnosed with Celiac disease, in particular people between the ages of 30 and 45.
It is prudent to get yourself checked out by your doctor if you think you have a wheat intolerance, as many people have been found to have undetected Celiac disease this way. A simple blood test can detect whether a patient is likely to have Celiac disease with a follow up biopsy of the small intestine taken. Celiac Disease affects both men and women equally and you are more likely to have it if a close member of your family is affected by it.
Studies show that those of Northern European descent are more likely to have Celiac disease, along with those from parts of India, Pakistan, North Africa and the Middle East.
How to Treat Celiac Disease
As yet there is no known cure for Celiac disease. The only way to manage it is to eat a gluten free diet.
Other Reasons to be Gluten Free
Many people now believe that gluten free diets for children can be beneficial for those on the Autism spectrum. While no clinical trials have taken place to confirm or deny this there is a definite growing trend for a gluten free diet to treat a number of ailments. From Parkinson’s disease to diabetes, multiple sclerosis to arthritis, research is showing that an improved digestive system leads to better overall health and sufferers of these, and many other diseases, are showing less symptoms and faster recovery times.
Gluten-free for Weight Loss
A gluten free diet will be low in net carbs and low GI. It will also, by default, be high in protein which in turn makes it a very good diet plan for losing weight, providing that you’re not trading in your gluten for high sugar content food instead.
Gluten-free Alternatives
Thankfully there are lots of gluten free alternatives on the market, including chips, bagels, cookies, brownies, breads, cereals and pizza crusts. We at Linda’s Diet Delights are online leaders in the Gluten-free market and stock a large range of gluten-free foods.
Thanks for reading our article! Did you know that there are many great-tasting gluten free food products on the market today that can make sticking to your gluten free diet a breeze? Linda’s Diet Delites is a leading online supplier of low carb food products, offering a wide selection at affordable prices. Take a look!
Michael Nace is a low carb blogger for Linda’s Diet Delites. He is not a Doctor, and his article does not represent the view and opinions of Linda’s Diet Delites, nor are his articles meant to be construed as medical advice.
Tags: gluten free, gluten free diet, low carb, low carb diet
Posted in gluten free | No Comments »
Monday, January 24th, 2011
The Big Train Low Carb Hot Chocolate 2lb Tub is now available to compliment the 5 pack boxes. This rich hot chocolate mix is low in carbs (only4g), has no sugar added, and is great for those of you looking for a more economical option.
 Big Train Hot Chocolate Mix 2lb Tub Take a look at all of our healthy mixes and low carb mixes at Linda’s Diet Delites!
Tags: Big Train, Big Train Low Carb Hot Chocolate, low carb, Sugar Free
Posted in Diet Food, Food Finds, low carb, Low Carb Diet, Sugar Free | No Comments »
Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
The Beanitos Black Bean Chips have been so popular we have now decided to add the Beanitos Pinto Bean & Flax Chips. Just like the original black bean chips these pinto bean chips are certified low glycemic, corn free, gluten free, high fiber, low carb, and high in omega 3s.
If you have been searching for something to eat with your salsa that won’t ruin your diet, these are definitely worth a try.
 Beanitos Pinto Bean & Flax Chips Check out our wide selection of healthy chips and healthy crisps and Linda’s Diet Delites!
Tags: beanitos, Beanitos Pinto Bean & Flax Chips, healthy chips, low carb, low carb chips
Posted in Diet Food, gluten free, low carb, Sugar Free | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
Healthy Delites Low Carb Deliteful Twists are now available. These gourmet flaky pastry twists are either rolled in cinnamon or dipped in chocolate. Low calorie, low carb, and quite tasty.
 Healthy Delites Low Carb Deliteful Twists Check out our wide selection of low carb pastries online at Linda’s Diet Delites!
Tags: Healthy Delites Low Carb Deliteful Twists, Healthy Habits, low carb, low carb sweets, pastry twist
Posted in Diet Food, low carb, Sugar Free | No Comments »
Sunday, August 8th, 2010
Specialty Cheese Just the Cheese Crunchy Baked Cheese Chips are now available in 8 cheese packed flavors. These chips made entirely of cheese are low carb, low sugar, and high protein.
 Just the Cheese Crunchy Baked Cheese Chips Be sure to browse our wide selection of low carb snacks at Linda’s Diet Delites!
Tags: Just the Cheese Crunchy Baked Cheese Chips, low carb, low carb snacks, Specialty Cheese Just the Cheese Crunchy Baked Cheese Chips
Posted in Diet Food, gluten free, High Protein, low carb, Sugar Free | 2 Comments »
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