Healthy Low Carb Diet Snack Ideas

Sugars and starches make up carbohydrates. A low-carbohydrate diet is designed to reduce the body's production of insulin so your body uses stored fat for energy rather than using calories being eaten at the time. The low carb diet can be an effective tool in weight loss when it is combined with a reduction in saturated fat. This makes it a healthy way to lose weight and maintain a lower weight. If you have a sweet tooth and like to eat between meals, you still can do that, to some extent, on a low carb diet. The trick is to eat the right foods for snacks at the right time during the phases of the low carb diet.

Healthy Low Carb Diet Snacks: Phase One Induction

Induction is the phase of a low carb diet when there is a strict reduction in carbs allowed. The Atkins diet recommends no more than 20 carbs per day during induction. Read the nutrition information on labels to learn how many carbs a serving contains. Basically, you are not to eat foods with sugars or starches in this phase of the diet. Sugar-free Jello is an allowable snack, with 0 carbs. Bacon rinds and Vienna sausages are other 0 carb snack foods allowed during induction. Dips made from sour cream, mayonnaise and spices are allowed. Eat the dip with bacon rinds and veggies. Cheese crisps can be made in the microwave by stacking mounds of shredded cheese on wax paper and cooking them until melted.

Healthy Low Carb Diet Snacks: Phase Two

During Phase Two of the low carb diet, you can begin to eat some of the low-carb products found in stores. Low-carb snack bars typically have 3 carbs and provide a variety of supplemental nutrients. Be sure to check for a form of sugar called malitol or sorbitol, which can produce gas. Most people have individual tolerances to malitol or sorbitol so don't over due until you know how they affect you. You can add nuts as snacks as a low carb food during Phase Two. Read the nutrition information on the packages of nuts as all nuts are not created equal in the low-carb world.

Healthy Low Carb Diet Snacks: Phase Three

By the time you reach Phase Three of a low carb diet, you have reached your optimal weight, or are very close. You have increased your daily carb intake to a level where you are able to maintain your weight. Some people can consume up to 60 carbs a day, while others can eat only 30. In reality, you can eat anything you want for snacks during phase three, as long as it falls within your daily level of carbs for weight maintenance and you are consuming adequate amounts of nutrients.

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