Have you ever embarked on a harsh low carb diet? If you have you probably know all the difficult challenges a person faces while on it.
From feeling irritated, lacking energy and even feeling depressed, these emotional reactions are part of the side-effects for some people while on such strict diets.
But I have good news for you! You don’t actually have to endure experiencing these side effects.
When you’re body reacts in such wat it’s mostly because it’s trying to get your attention, letting you know something is not right.
With that in mind, I’ll share some simple low carb diet tips and tricks you can follow to make your craving for starch and sugar-loaded snacks disappear completely while staying within the low-carb rules.
It may appear impossible but trust me, it’s not rocket science!
Without further ado, these are the most effective tricks you can employ to stave off the carb-munchies
Don’t Starve Yourself
For some people going on a diet equals starving themselves. Why? Well, for most people the idea of “dieting” means a very harsh reduction of the food amount they can daily. And this is the first problem we should tackle.
If you restrict your calories too much and too fast your body will go into starvation mode. This means your metabolism will decrease and suddenly you’ll get hunger pangs and start craving sugary food intensely.
Eat More Protein
Protein is likely the most important macro-nutrient your body needs. Without the proper amount consumed on a daily basis, your body can lose muscle mass and certain chemical processes in your body grind to a halt (AKA: your metabolism doesn’t work properly) and as a result, your body will burn fewer calories.
But you should also know that consuming higher amounts of protein can actually help you feel more satisfied and curb down your cravings?
This is because proteins, and more specifically slower digesting varieties (such as red meat and casein protein) signal to the brain a higher level of satiety. This causes you to have fewer carb cravings and become more efficient in weight loss.
Got Fat?
“Whoa! You gotta be kidding me” is probably what’s going through your mind right about now, but it has been proven and is widely becoming accepted, that a reasonable amount of dietary fat consumption is not bad for you, and is more likely to be beneficial. Why? Read some of these interesting facts:
- Fat Is Essential For Production Of Hormones By The Body. These hormones include sex hormones, and fat burning hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) as well as many other supporting ones. Restriction of dietary fat correlates to lower levels of these hormones
- Fat Blunts Your Craving For Carbs Or Starch. Fat is extremely filling and satisfying, and when taken with protein slows down its absorption significantly. In fact, consuming a diet high in protein and good fats (such as that found in avocadoes and almonds) while subsequently restricting carbohydrates, can lead to profound body composition changes. This is also likely to be the best plan for long term weight loss and stopping starch cravings once and for all.
And just to top it off. Did you know many negative side effects associated with consuming fats are only real when you combine fats with carbs on your meals?
Eat More Frequently
Eating smaller meals, spaced more closely together is a better way for keeping carb cravings at bay than 3 large meals spaced many hours apart. Why? Because it helps to keep insulin levels somewhat stable throughout the day. And, since insulin signals hunger and carb cravings when levels drop low, keeping it at a stable level helps you prevent cravings in the first place.
Hydrate & Veggi-nate!
I bet you’re tired of hearing “drink water and eat your veggies” but what if I told you there was a very simple way to beat the carb cravings while doing the same? Interested? Here’s what you can do:
- Drink a Gallon of Water a Day. The easy way to do this is full a one-gallon sized jug with water, and graduate lines on it that have to drink every hour. This not only makes it easy for you to visualize how much you need to drink, but keeps you accountable. Water is absolutely essential for beating a craving
- Eat As Many Veggies As You Want. Yes, this revolutionary piece is what will make or break your low carb diet. Let me tell you why; veggies are extremely low calorie, meaning that one or even two full cups worth is unlikely to even deliver 200 calories. Secondly, by eating a particular one you enjoy, it doesn’t feel like a task and you feel satisfied in the process. A simple plan for achieving long term success!
