Low carb meals - quick and easy low carb meal ideas

Low-carbohydrate diets are dietary plans that restrict the carbohydrate intake for weight control and for the treatment of obesity. Sometimes, people eat low-carbohydrate diets in order to treat other medical conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. The most prominent among low-carb diets is the Atkins Diet, but many other diet plans share the same principles, for example: the Zone Diet, the Protein Power Lifeplan, the Go Lower Diet, The Earth Diet and the South Beach Diet. All of these diets are based on the principle that a diet low in carbohydrates leads to low production of body’s insulin, resulting in consumption of fat stores as the energy source.

Certain foods are absolutely banned from low-carb diets. For example, dieters cannot eat foods containing white flour and sugar. Foods like pasta, bread, rice and alcohol are completely removed from the diet plan. All meat is allowed, except liver. Dieters eat a lot of fish, shellfish, eggs, up to 4oz of cheese per day, all fats, including butter, mayonnaise, cream and margarine. Most fruits and vegetables are restricted, except low-starch green vegetables and low-glycemic fruits.

Breakfast is the most important meal during the day. It provides energy for the brain and enough fuel to support normal daily functions. Skipping on the breakfast is one of the worst things a dieter can do. It is proven that people who skip breakfasts actually slow down their metabolism in a long term. Preparing a low carb breakfast is easy, quick and simple. For example, basic flax meal focaccia bread or low carb sugar-free cranberry nut bread - a variation of the cranberry nut bread, makes use of almond flour. This alternative is not only low carb, but is also gluten-free and sugar-free. Low carb and pastry products are also available on the market, for those who need to have their breakfast on the go.

Most working people on a low carb diet are struggling to plan their daily meals. If there are no low carb restaurants near the office, eating a greasy burger or fries seems like the only possible option. The best idea to avoid this obstacle is to plan, prepare and portion low carb lunches ahead of time so that one can practically grab them and go. A couple of pounds of chicken can be prepared in various ways: one can boil a portion and make it into a chicken salad or chicken wrap; the other portion can be grilled and served over tossed greens. The remaining part can be prepared in stir-fried fajita-style. The same principle goes for any other low carb food like beef, fish or other seafood.