Getting Started on a Low-Carb Diet
By Laura Dolson, About.com Guide to Low Carb Diets
These resources are for people who are starting out or want a refresher. Included are descriptions of diets, dos and don'ts, food lists, and necessary information for beginners.
- Food Lists for Specific Diets
- Menu Help
- Special Ingredients in Low-Carb and Sugar-Free Foods
- Low-Carb Foods to Have on Hand
Low-Carb Basics
Before starting to cut carbs, it's important to have an idea of what you'll be doing and why.
- What is a Low-Carb Diet?
- Is a Low-Carb Diet Right for You?
- Seven Myths About Low-Carb Diets
- 7 Steps Towards Low-Carb Eating
- 20 Benefits of Low-Carb Diets
- Budget Low-Carb Eating
- How Low-Carb Diets Work -- It's all About Blood Sugar
- 6 Steps for Low-Carb Beginners
- Top Ten Low-Carb Mistakes
- Getting Through Your First Week
Popular Low-Carb Diet Plans
Quite a few different authors have written books about low-carb diets, and they all have different ideas about how best to go about it. Here are some of the main authors of low-carb diets. Each section tells the basics of the diet, pros and cons of each, and most have food lists and other information.
Your Low-Carb Pyramid
So, how much should you eat of which types of foods? If you are following one of the popular plans, you will follow the guidelines of that diet. Here is another way to look at it. Although there is individual variations, there are some guidelines you can follow, as well as steps to take if you want to change your diet gradually rather than all at once.
- Low-Carb Food Pyramid -- Illustrated Version
- Low-Carb Food Pyramid -- Text Version
- How Much Carbohydrate is Right for You?
- How Much Protein do you Need?
- Seven Steps Towards Low-Carb Eating
Low-Carb Food Lists
Wondering which veggies have the least carbs? What's the difference in carbs between regular and nonfat milk? These lists will help you out.
- Carb Counts of Common Foods
- Low-Carb Vegetables
- Low-Carb Fruit
- Low-Carb Meats
- High-Protein Food List (with protein counts)
- Carb Counts in Dairy Foods
- Alcoholic Beverages on a Low-Carb Diet
- Yogurt on a Low-Carb Diet
- Carbs in Coffee Drinks
Food Lists for Specific Diets
Here are food lists for some of the poplar low-carb diet plans.
Menu Help
Can't think of what to have for breakfast, lunch, or Thanksgiving? Here are some menu suggestions for different meals, as well as 12 complete menus which are low carb and contain all basic vitamins and minerals (except, in come cases, calcium and vitamin D).
Special Ingredients in Low-Carb and Sugar-Free Foods
If you're cutting carbs, you're probably reading food labels. And you may be seeing strange words like "oligofructose" and "maltitol." What are these ingredients? It's actually pretty important to understand them. And any time you see "Net Carbs" on the front of the label and a different number on the back, it's time to look pretty carefully.
Low-Carb Foods to Have on Hand
Out with the old, and in with the new! When you change your way of eating, it’s best to have food in your home that supports you in your new endeavor. These guides will help you know what to keep and what to get rid of.
