How to Avoid Carbs in Food

When you are dieting on a low carb plan, it is important to stay satisfied and motivated while keeping your carbohydrate count low. Learning to avoid foods high in carbs can be challenging if you don't plan a solid strategy. However, there are multiple ways to steer clear of carbohydrate-laden temptations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Shop for low-carb food like lean meat, eggs and non-starchy vegetables to stock your kitchen.
2. Change the cooking oil you use to one with lower carbs. Pick monounsaturated oils such as extra-virgin olive oil to cook with and to mix with vinegar for salad dressings.
3. Avoid using too much in the way of condiments like ketchup and barbecue sauce, which have upwards from 4 g of carbohydrates per serving. Condiments that are low in carbs include mayonnaise, mustard and vinegar.
4. Keep low-carb food accessible for snacking. Good choices include hard-boiled eggs, celery with peanut butter and sugar-free yogurt.
5. Alert your family and friends that you will be avoiding high-carb foods. Ask them not to offer you high-carb treats like chips and cookies and not to eat these snacks in front of you.
6. Try new recipes that feature low-carb foods on a regular basis. Look for ones that are high in spices to keep your tastebuds from getting bored. Good choices for spicy low-carb cookbooks include "The Everything Low-Carb Cookbook: 300 Delicious Recipes to Help Reduce Your Carbohydrates and Stay Healthy" by Patricia M. Butkus and "All New Easy Low-Carb Cooking: Over 300 Delicious Recipes Including Breads, Muffins, Cookies and Desserts" by Patricia Haakonson. Both are available at Amazon (see Resources below).
7. Take low-carb meals and snacks with you when you are on the go. When you have good choices on hand, it is easier to resist the high-carb options that come your way.
8. Comfort yourself with other things besides carbohydrate-laden foods. Carbs have long been considered "comfort foods," but you can avoid them and still indulge yourself. Pick a favorite relaxing activity instead, like a favorite DVD, a trip to the spa or a new paperback.
9. Stay busy with work and play to keep your mind away from high-carb food. Focusing on activities that do not include eating, like hobbies, sports and games will keep you away from the foods that will sabotage your diet.
10. Try low-carb versions of some of your favorite foods. There are low-carb and no-carb breads, beer and sweets on the market. Make sure to check the nutrition labels even if the product you are considering is advertised as low in carbohydrates.

Tips & Warnings

• Store any high-carb items you keep in the house out of sight.