by Trisha Orlando

Created on: January 05, 2008   Last Updated: January 12, 2008

Benefits of Low-Carb Diets

One of the most appealing benefits of low carb dieting is that you do not have to count calories.

The easiest way to format a low carb diet for yourself is to identify low carb foods that you like and incorporate them into your diet. It's not a time consuming task and the benefits of low carb dieting show up quickly in the way of visible weight loss.

The most likable benefit of the low carb diet is that low carb diets include more likable foods than most other diets. These foods are not specialty foods that are hard to find. Some low carb foods are sold under different labels, like Atkins, but it is wrong to assume that only those specialty brands are the best low carb foods.

For example, steak is a very good low carb food. So are eggs. Put them together and you have a meal almost everyone likes, steak and eggs. It's not too hard to convince people to include steak and eggs more often in their diet.

Although not comprehensive, this list will give you a good idea of the types of foods "allowed" on a low carb diet

^ All Fish and Shellfish
Note: Oysters and mussels are higher in carbs than other shellfish, so limit them to four ounces per day

^ All Fowl
^ All Eggs

^ All Meat
Note: Processed meats, such as ham, bacon, pepperoni, salami, hot dogs and other luncheon meats may be cured with added sugar and will add carbs. This applies to some fish also. Meat and fish products cured with nitrates, which are known carcinogen, should also be avoided. Beware of food products that are not entirely meat, fish or fowl, such as imitation fish, meatloaf and breaded foods.
Do not consume more than 4 ounces of organ meats daily

CHEESE
You can consume 3 to 4 ounces daily of these cheese products
Cheddar
Cow, sheep and goat cheese
Cream cheese
Gouda
Mozzarella
Roquefort and other Blue cheeses
Swiss

SALAD VEGETABLES
You can consume 2-3 cups of these veggies per day
o Green Leaf Lettuce Boston Lettuce
o Mche Sorrel
o Daikon Mushrooms
o Arugula Endive
o Parsley Bok Choy
o Escarole Peppers
o Celery Fennel
o Radicchio Chicory
o Chives Iceberg Lettuce
o Bibb Lettuce Cucumber
o Jicama Radishes
o Alfalfa sprouts Romaine Lettuce

o Acceptable Salad Garnishes:

o Crumbled Crisp Bacon
o Grated Cheese
o Minced Hard-Boiled Egg
o Sauted Mushrooms
o Sour Cream

Spices:
All spices to taste, but make sure none contain added sugar.

OTHER VEGETABLES
These vegetables are slightly higher in carbs than salad vegetables. You can consume up to one cup of these veggies daily.
Artichoke
Celery Root
Pumpkin
Artichoke Hearts
Rhubarb
Asparagus
Chard
Eggplant
Sauerkraut
Bamboo Shoots
Spinach
Broccoli
Hearts of Palm
String or Wax Beans
Broccoli Rabe
Kale
Brussell Sprouts
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Turnips
Cabbage
Okra
Water Chestnuts
Cauliflower
Onion
Zucchini
Tomato
Collard Greens
Scallions
Dandelion
Snow Peas
Bean Sprouts
Dandelion Greens
Spaghetti Squash
Summer Squash
Beet Greens

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