Low Carb Dinner Options?

mcqlove87

A friend recommended that I try to cut down on some of my carb intake. I've been doing pretty good, but I need to take it a little further. Does any one have any low carb options when it comes to dinner? I don't even know where to start. . .

stanvoodoo

50% Veggie, 25% protein and 25% carb, just apply to any meal or to really cut down, 50/50 Veggies and Protein. Just remember Potatos, Corn and Peas are really starches (ie Carbs) not veggies.

This is a very healthy lifestyle and get for losing weight as well.

ChristinaRamos

I stop eating carbs after lunch. For dinner I have something like grilled chicken, broccoli, and a salad, or fish and zuchinni, or something like that.

amyoliver85

The following items are classified as carbs and/or starches:

Bread-- this including tortillas, donuts, shells (like taco shells or pot pie shells)
Pastas
Rice
Potatoes, corn, peas, sweet potatoes, plantains, parsnips, winter squash like butternut and acorn, beets and carrots.

Eliminate these things from at least one meal per day.

Instead focus on fresh meats--the best are low-fat white meats and fish. Try to avoid red meats as they sit in your system rotting for days before you actually digest them.

And focus on veggies like those in this list. They are arranged roughly from lowest carbs to highest carbs though they should all be safe:

Sprouts (bean, alfalfa, etc.)
Greens – lettuces, spinach, chard, etc.
Hearty Greens - collards, mustard greens, kale, etc.
Radicchio and endive count as greens
Herbs - parsley, cilantro, basil, rosemary, thyme, etc.
Bok Choy
Celery
Radishes
Sea Vegetables (Nori, etc)
Cabbage (or sauerkraut)
Mushrooms
Jicama
Avocado
Asparagus
Okra
Cucumbers (or pickles without added sugars)
Green Beans and Wax Beans
Fennel
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Peppers
Green Bell Peppers
Red Bell Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers
Summer Squash
Zuchinni
Scallions or green onions
Bamboo Shoots
Brussels Sprouts
Leeks
Snow Peas (pods)
Tomatoes
Eggplant
Tomatillos
Artichokes
Onions
Okra
Spaghetti Squash
Celery Root
Turnip
Water Chestnuts
Pumpkin

You should look up root vegetables like Celery root, Carrots and Turnips to get a good understanding of their carb content. Squash are generally higher in carbs as well. So watch out for those.

When you think about cooking a carb free and truly healthful meal keep these things in mind:

1) Think GREEN. The greener the better.
2) Think LEAFY. If it's leafy it's probably friendly.
3) Think NOISY. No, seriously. If your food made an oink, squak, moo or bubble sound in the near past, and has not since been processed, it's a GO. If it's been breaded, fried, processed or otherwise tampered with inbetween life and ending up in your kitchen, pass it by.
4) Think OUTSIDE THE BOX. If it comes in a box, can, or jar...leave it where you found it.
5) Think FRESH. If you found it amongst frozen things...leave it where you found it.

Typically, the best way to go is to stick with things that are as close to nature as possible. Since pastas and breads do not occur naturally--omg, if there was a yeast roll tree, I would gorge myself on it until I died from my gluttony-- and neither do chicken patties or tempura shrimp, they are not friends to your carb free and healthful diet.

If you just simply can't get these things out of your diet, purchase a gluten free cookbook and that will at least help you create healthier alternatives to your carby favorites.

dumb_blondes_rock

hope this helps....a friend on atkins told me about it, funny thing is i go to this site all the time and have never seen this part of it....sad


http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Healthy-Cooking/Low-Carb-Diet/Main.aspx

ChantalGG

If i dont eat carbs i find i am hungry quicker and if i dont have any calories left for the day that just makes me cranky. (lol) Try a small amount of brown rice or whole wheat pasta with your dinner. But now, sine i started watching my calories, i have change my dinner portion sizes. Way more veggies side of carbs and as much protein i can fit in without going over my daily limit.