Carbohydrate-free diet: menus for the week, allowed foods and tips

Many people find it difficult to follow a carb-free diet, especially in the beginning. Nothing like that. A varied menu of foods rich in healthy proteins, fats and vitamins will provide energy for the whole day.

salmon with asparagus on a carbohydrate-free diet

A carbohydrate-free diet is one of the most effective diets for weight loss. Due to the fact that the body does not get its main food - carbohydrates, it returns to the already available reserves, and the fat layer disappears quite quickly.

This is a diet in which there are no or almost no carbohydrates. On the daily menu with a carb-free diet, there are no such popular products as bread, pasta or cereals, but there are plenty of healthy vegetables and meats. In particular, such a diet plan for women is good: the menu is complete enough for the body to function smoothly: as you know, you can start with strict and fat-restricted diets. Such a diet allows you not only to lose weight, but also to better control the concentration of sugar in the blood, helps improve the health of the heart and blood vessels, reduces the risk of developing metabolic syndrome and regulates blood pressure.

However, on the other hand, it has some negative health consequences, and for some people it is completely contraindicated. In this article, we analyze what a carbohydrate-free diet is, a list of foods you can eat, which foods are not suitable for a carbohydrate-free diet, as well as provide recommendations and menu examples. But before using this diet, be sure to consult your doctor.

The essence of a diet without carbohydrates

Carbohydrate-free diets limit the amount of carbohydrates in the diet. Instead of carbohydrates, the diet focuses on protein, healthy fats and fiber.

The forerunner of the modern carbohydrate-free diet is the therapeutic ketogenic diet. Initially, the ketogenic diet was used to treat epileptic seizures in children. In the mid-1990s, producer Jim Abrahams set up a science center to raise awareness of the carb-free diet - his son was successfully managing crises with this diet.

Today, the carb-free diet is used by both celebrities and athletes who do cycling sports, but the diet menu is quite extreme for the average healthy person. Here are some video comments from an athlete about this diet:

The modern diet without carbohydrates, of course, has contraindications, but an adequately thought-out diet without carbohydrates helps perfectly to lose weight and maintain the health of the body. A carbohydrate free diet is the most popular way for women to lose a few pounds of excess weight in a short time. This meal plan is often chosen by those who want to lose 5 kg fast.

The essence of a carbohydrate-free diet is clear and understandable - the body does not take in excess carbohydrates, which in turn will accumulate fat. During the diet, the body burns some of the stored fat, not the carbohydrates consumed. Ultimately it is the loss of excess fat.

Any diet can be followed more or less strictly, but if you are wondering which carbohydrate-free diet is most effective, the answer is one - the one you can stick to without breaking down. The forum where his testers discuss the results is full of dish photos and success stories.

What to eat on a carbohydrate-free diet

Water and salt control

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids on a strict carb-free diet. The daily menu should include water and sugar-free water - these are the drinks that will be the best choice. Studies show that each gram of carbohydrate stores about three grams of water in the body, so it is vital to drink plenty of water when using a carb-free diet for weight loss, otherwise the body may become dehydrated.

Also, do not forget the salt. At the beginning of a carbohydrate-free diet, your daily menu should include one to two glasses of gravy. Or just add a little more salt to the food.

Healthy snack

To avoid spoilage, make sure you take healthy low-carb foods with you. Be careful with food too - you need to adjust portions. What do you eat on a carb-free diet if you want a snack? Here are some options that will fit into a carb-free diet:

  • hard boiled eggs
  • yogurt without sugar
  • regular carrots
  • a handful of nuts
  • a handful of berries
  • pieces of cheese;
  • apple, tangerine or pear
  • a cup of sugar-free tea

Go for sports

You will not be fed up with diet alone - exercise regularly to stay fit and healthy. Moreover, constant strain will allow you to not count calories in a carbohydrate-free diet. A 1200 kcal diet without carbohydrates will be quite hungry, but if you do not neglect fitness, you can cross these limits and continue to lose weight. Those who ride a bike to work every day or are partial to exercise bikes should increase the amount of carbohydrates in their diet once a week. Cycling uses a lot of them, so either switch sports temporarily or increase your carb intake. And, of course, physical activity at the limit of possibilities is contraindicated.

grilled steak on a carb-free diet

A carb-free diet dictates a high-protein diet: it becomes a building block for strong young muscles

Carbohydrate-free diet: food chart

Carbohydrate Diet: List of allowed foods

  • Meat:beef, lamb, pork, chicken.
  • A fish:salmon, trout, hawthorn and others. River fish is the best option.
  • Eggs:eggs of all birds, fortified with omega-3.
  • Vegetables:spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots.
  • Fruits and berries:apples, oranges, pears, blueberries, strawberries.
  • Nuts and seeds:almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and others.
  • High fat dairy products:cheese, butter, thick cream, yogurt.
  • Fats and oils:coconut oil, butter, lard, olive oil and fish oil.

Carbohydrate Diet: A list of foods you should not eat

  • Sugar:soft drinks, fruit juices, all kinds of sweets, ice cream and other foods that contain sugar.
  • Processed crops:wheat, rice, barley and rye, as well as bread, cereals and pasta.
  • Trans fats:hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.
  • Low fat diet and foods:dairy products, cereals or crackers that are low in fat but high in sugar.
  • Highly processed products:any semi-finished product is prohibited.
  • Starchy vegetables:Limit starchy vegetables in your diet if you are on a carbohydrate free diet.

Carbohydrate-free diet: Foods that are in doubt

We can certainly add black coffee without milk, wine and chocolate to the list of foods you can drink or eat as part of a carbohydrate free diet. But only in moderation. Usually they eat dark chocolate and drink dry wines without added sugar.

Carbohydrate-free diet: a list of foods with their "value" of carbohydrates

  • Orange juice, a glass - 25 grams
  • Medium baked potatoes with skin - 51 grams
  • Pancake - 15 grams
  • A glass of cornflakes - 26 grams
  • Slice whole wheat bread - 13 grams
  • 1/2 cup fresh broccoli - 2 grams
  • Half a cup of peas - 10 grams
  • Skimmed milk, glass - 12 grams
  • Fat-free yogurt with filling - 40 grams

Food packaging always states how much protein, fat and carbohydrates they contain, so with the help of simple calculations you can minimize the amount of the latter. For example, it becomes clear: a carbohydrate-free diet does not mean bread at all.

Carbohydrate-free diet: menu for 7 days

Less than 50 grams of carbohydrates a day - if you stick to this limit, you can be sure - this is a carb-free diet. The menu and the food table are easy to learn, and the diet is very satisfying - this is what the carbohydrate free diet is famous for. The weekly menu for effective weight loss includes a variety of delicious dishes - see for yourself.

herb omelette on a carbohydrate-free diet

If your choice is a carb-free diet, plan your meals in advance. There are many variations of a delightful combination of protein products!

Monday

  • Breakfast: an omelette with different vegetables, fried in butter or coconut oil.
  • Lunch: Cranberry yogurt and a handful of almonds.
  • Dinner: cheeseburger without bun, served with vegetables and salsa sauce.

Tuesday

  • Breakfast: bacon and eggs.
  • Lunch: hamburger without bun and green vegetables.
  • Dinner: salmon with butter and vegetables.

Wednesday

  • Breakfast: fried eggs and vegetables in butter or coconut oil.
  • Lunch: shrimp salad with olive oil.
  • Dinner: grilled chicken with vegetables.

Thursday

  • Breakfast: an omelette with different vegetables, fried in butter or coconut oil.
  • Lunch: cocktail with coconut milk, berries, almonds and protein powder.
  • Dinner: steak and vegetables.

Friday

  • Breakfast: bacon and eggs.
  • Lunch: chicken salad with olive oil.
  • Dinner: beef chops with vegetables.

Saturday

  • Breakfast: scrambled eggs with various vegetables.
  • Lunch: yogurt with berries, coconut and a handful of nuts.
  • Dinner: meatballs with vegetables.

Sunday

  • Breakfast: bacon and eggs.
  • Lunch: shake with coconut milk, a drop of thick cream, protein powder and berries.
  • Dinner: grilled chicken wings with raw spinach.
chicken wings on a carbohydrate-free diet

Carbohydrate-free diet: contraindications and contraindications

Most can start a carb-free diet without serious risks, but there are groups of people who should start dieting practices only as instructed by their doctors:

  • people with diabetes and taking insulin;
  • people with high blood pressure;
  • pregnant and lactating women;
  • persons with kidney disease;
  • adolescents;
  • patients with liver disease;
  • with caution - those who have had cases of kidney or liver disease, heart or vascular problems in the family;
  • those who usually have a fairly low blood sugar concentration;
  • persons with metabolic disorders;
  • People taking medications that affect glucose and / or ketone levels.

Even if you are healthy, be sure to consult a specialist, maybe diet is not right for you. In addition, many medical studies have identified the potential dangers of a carbohydrate-free diet.

Short-term health risks:

  • cramps
  • constipation
  • cardiopalmus
  • high cholesterol
  • headache
  • mixed
  • decreased athletic performance

It is quite difficult to follow all the requirements of a carbohydrate-free diet for those who, for ethical reasons, prefer vegetarianism or veganism; it is quite difficult for such people to adjust their diet to a diet in order to get the right amount of protein. It can also affect their health, quite quickly.

Moreover, in the early stages of a carbohydrate-free diet, while the body has not yet adapted to a new way of getting energy (and usually processes carbohydrates into the fuel), the following unpleasant side effects can occur:

  • Bad breath
  • fatigue
  • symptoms of dehydration
  • Bad mood
  • APATHY
  • inability to concentrate

As the body adjusts to a carb-free diet, these side effects may or may not go away. To make the most lenient approach to a carb-free diet for weight loss, the menu may initially include a certain amount of carbohydrates. Nutritionists recommend giving up not all immediately, but gradually, gradually reducing their consumption. At the end of a carb-free diet for weight loss, foods can also contain more and more carbohydrates - you return smoothly to your usual diet. In this case, the likelihood that the extra pounds will return will be minimal.

Long-term health risks from a carb-free diet:

  • nutritional deficiencies;
  • loss of bone density;
  • gastrointestinal problems.

Simple recipes for a diet without carbohydrates

scrambled eggs with vegetables on a carbohydrate-free diet

Eggs and vegetables fried in coconut oil

Ingredients: Coconut oil, fresh vegetables or frozen vegetable mix (carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans), eggs, spices, spinach (optional).

Instructions:

  1. Add the coconut oil to the pan and turn on the heat.
  2. Add vegetables. If you are using a frozen mixture, let the vegetables thaw a little for a few minutes.
  3. Add 3-4 eggs.
  4. Add spices - either a mixture or just salt and pepper.
  5. Add the spinach (optional).
  6. Fry until softened.

Fried chicken wings with herb and salsa sauce

Ingredients: chicken wings, spices, herb, salsa sauce.

Instructions:

  1. Rub the chicken wings with the mixture of spices you have chosen.
  2. Place them in the oven and bake them at 180-200 ° C for about 40 minutes until they turn brown.
  3. Serve with herbs and salsa.

toothless cheeseburger

Ingredients: butter, ground beef, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, salsa sauce, spices, spinach.

Instructions:

  1. Add oil to the pan and turn on the heat.
  2. Remove the minced meat noodles and fry in the pan, add spices.
  3. Turn the noodles until soft.
  4. Add a few slices of cedar and a little cream cheese on top.
  5. Turn down the heat and cover until the cheese is melted.
  6. Serve with raw spinach. If desired, you can sprinkle the herbs and spinach with the fat from the pan.
  7. For a juicier burger, add a little salsa.

Do burgers, steaks and hams help you lose weight? Yes, because on a carb-free diet they are eaten without bread.

scrambled eggs and bacon on a carbohydrate-free diet

Bacon and eggs

Bacon is not really a healthy food, but once or twice a week you can afford it on a carb-free diet and it is low in carbohydrates.

Ingredients: bacon, eggs, butter, onion or garlic (optional).

Instructions:

  1. Finely chop the onion or garlic, fry in a little oil.
  2. Fry the bacon in the same oil.
  3. When the meat is ready, place it on a plate and break 3-4 eggs in the fat melted from it. Fry until softened.
  4. Transfer the scrambled eggs to the bacon plate. Enjoy your meal!

Pizza with carbohydrates

Ingredients: oil, onion, garlic, bacon, minced meat (or other meat), salsa sauce, spices, cheese. If desired, you can add mushrooms, pickles or pickles, and when serving - greens.

Instructions:

  1. Cut any available meat into slices and chop the onion as well.
  2. Fry everything except cheese in oil, mix with sauce, add spices to taste.
  3. Sprinkle generously with cheese, or add sliced bacon on top for beauty.
  4. Send the next pizza in the oven for 30-40 minutes at a temperature of 180-200 degrees.

Five-minute chocolate dessert

Ingredients: cream cheese, whipped cream, vanilla, cocoa powder, salt, carbohydrate-free sweetener.

Instructions:

  1. Beat the cream cheese with the mixer at maximum speed.
  2. Reduce the rolls to a minute and slowly beat the cream and vanilla into the cheese.
  3. Add the sweetener, cocoa powder and a little salt and mix until completely dissolved.
  4. Turn the maximum speed again and beat the mixture for another 1-2 minutes.
  5. Serve immediately, garnish with berries or make ice cream with the mixture.