It's probably the first question you'll ask yourself:What are the benefits of a low-carb diet? Fortunately, a lot of research has already been done and the list of benefits is quite long. It turns out that no matter how old you are, it is always healthy to reduce the carbohydrates in your diet. It is important that you know the specific needs of your body and that you adjust your diet accordingly. This way you achieve the maximum positive effect to really improve your health. And more importantly:you don't have to go hungry!
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The low-carb diet has been an important weight loss method for at least 150 years. A while ago we published a blog about Linda, who had lost so much weight by eating low-carb. Modern studies indicate that reducing carbohydrates is almost the most effective in the fight against obesity. Not eating carbohydrates has a different effect on the body than counting calories. It has been proven that carbohydrate intake stimulates the release of the hormone insulin. And insulin is the most important hormone that ensures the storage of fats in the body.
So do you want to lose excess body fat? Then lowering the insulin level is the main goal. Exactly, by reducing the intake of carbohydrates and that is one of the benefits of a low-carbohydrate diet. For most people, this change in diet appears to be sufficient to achieve the target weight.
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Before we can start about the benefits of a low-carbohydrate diet, it is important that you know how a low-carbohydrate diet works.
Losing weight is often thought of as a matter of eating fewer calories. So eat less and burn more to lose weight as a result. In theory this is absolutely true. But in practice this proves difficult to apply. This is because some foods become satiated quickly. While others, like a glass of soda, only make you hungry.
So what is important in a low-carbohydrate diet is that you work with your body. Counteracting has the opposite effect. It is better not to put energy into counting calories, which only makes you hungry every day. It is better to guide your body in such a way that it naturally wants to eat less and burn excess fats. Then you come to the benefits of a diet that is low in carbohydrates. You guide your body by changing your hormone balance. And the most important hormone for weight loss, more important than all other hormones, is the fat storage hormone insulin.
If the amount of insulin in your body decreases, fat burning is actually increased. This releases stored body fat and can be broken down. In the long term, the feeling of hunger will also decrease and energy expenditure will increase. Even without movement! That is the effect of a low-carbohydrate diet and one of its greatest benefits.
Glad you now know that a low-carb diet is good for you. But what can you eat? For example, what can you eat for breakfast? Or what can you eat instead of pasta and bread? A low-carb salad is of course very healthy, but probably not what you're craving for breakfast. That's why I get special low-carbohydrate crackers from the fresh bakery, for example.
Even without carbohydrates you can prepare the tastiest meals and lose weight at the same time. How about low-carb wraps? Below is a list of low-carbohydrate foods to get you started:
Eggs , it is allowed to eat all kinds of eggs, preferably organic eggs. The preparation may vary from hard boiled to scrambled eggs and omelets.
Dairy , preferably choose the full-fat varieties, such as butter, sour cream, Greek yogurt and full-fat cheeses. One of the benefits of a low-carbohydrate diet is in my opinion. Be careful with whole milk, as it contains milk sugar. Of course it is better to avoid all products with added flavors and sugars.
Meat , this can be any kind of meat. Whenever possible, opt for organic meat.
Fish &Seafood , this can also be all kinds. Fatty fish such as salmon, herring or mackerel fit very well within the diet.
Nuts , they are ideal substitutes for chips and popcorn for a quick snack and they also go well in combination with yogurt or in a salad.
Vegetables , opt for vegetables grown above ground. Think cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, zucchini and eggplant. But lettuce, cucumber, avocado, onion, bell pepper and tomato also fit perfectly in the diet.
Natural fats such as coconut oil or olive oil. But butter and cream can also flavor dishes wonderfully.
Healthier breads , are, for example, sourdough bread, buckwheat bread or rye bread. It is best to get these breads from a health food store or bake them yourself.
If you don't want to eat bread anymore, choose oatmeal , pancakes of buckwheat or quinoa † Another of the benefits of a low-carb diet, you get to know other products.
Sugary drinks are always a poor choice on a low-carb diet. Sugar does not fit in a low-carbohydrate diet. Do you actually know how much sugar you consume per day?
The size of the drink is also important. True diet drinks have no calories or carbohydrates, but do contain other artificial sweeteners. Think of aspartame, acesulfame K or sucralose. A low-calorie drink is therefore not necessarily healthy. The best alternative therefore remains the ordinary fresh spring water.
Or opt for a healthy smoothie, based on green vegetables. When sweetened with a little honey, it will give your body a real energy boost.
Are you going out for a nice dinner? Do not hesitate to order a glass of red wine. That does not have to stand in the way of the benefits of a low-carbohydrate diet and it really can't hurt. But you better leave a beer. This contains a lot of unwanted carbohydrates.
A low-carb diet certainly does not mean that you have to go hungry. It is mainly a matter of letting go of habits and daring to experiment. Especially if you experience physical complaints, such as regularly suffering from a bloated stomach. Then cut the carbohydrates from your daily diet for a short time. You will be absolutely surprised what it will do for your body.
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If you adopt a low-carbohydrate diet, you will certainly experience the benefits. I will briefly list them here for you:
