No Carb Diet Guidelines

Carbohydrates are one of the three building blocks of food; the other two are protein and fatty acids. A no-carb diet means you only choose foods from the latter two groups. Find out which foods are grouped in each class so that you can eat a no-carb diet.

Carbohydrates

• In starting a no-carb diet, first eliminate starches. Anything with amaranth, barley, pasta, corn, couscous, flaxseed, millet, oats, potatoes, quinoa, rye, spelt, or wheat is off limits. These grains contain carbohydrates. Fruit contains sugar, which is a carbohydrate, so all fruits are off limits as well. This includes tomatoes. Beans, while a protein, are also a carbohydrate too and thus should be avoided.

Proteins

• All proteins are permitted and, in fact, should be eaten in great volume to keep up your energy. Foods such as eggs (prepared in whatever way suits your taste), beef, chicken, pork, fish and seafood, tofu, and tempeh are wonderful choices.

Vegetables

• It is important to eat lots of vegetables while on a no-carb diet as this food group provides lots of vital minerals. Many varieties of lettuce (romaine, boston, bibb, iceberg, arugula, swiss chard, spinach) can be found at the grocery store. Furthermore, vegetables beyond the green, leafy kind are great additions to a food repertoire: asparagus, artichoke, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, eggplants, leek, peppers, onion, seaweed, squash, and zucchini.

Fats

• You're certainly permitted to eat fats on a no-carb diet. The first kind of fat is very important. This is dairy. Dairy has a lot of protein in it, too, so it in an excellent nutritional choice. Cheese, milk, and sour cream are good choices. Other kinds of good fats are avocados, crushed hemp seed or hemp seed oil, olive oil and coconut oil.

  Nuts are the final source of calories on a no-carb diet. They are essential in helping keep a person full. Walnuts, macadamias, pecans and almonds are good choices. Though technically a legume, peanuts are also a good choice. Nuts are good as a snack food and can also be purchased in butters as a spread on celery or lettuce wraps.