Where to Find Low Carb Recipes Online
You may be surprised to find the number of things people are willing to share online for free. The one thing that online life makes easier is helping each other reach our individual goals, and dietary goals are no exception. Low carb recipes abound online, you just need to know where to look.
In this era of fat-building fast foods and preserved snacks, the need to become conscious of our own health becomes more and more urgent. Learn how to cut down on “bad carbs” by going online and checking out user-submitted health recipes! Here are a few sites where you can find quality low carb recipes:
1. Tina and Duncan MacDonald’s website hosts the low-carb recipes submitted to the newsgroup alt.support.diet.low-carb. No relation to the fast food company, the MacDonald couple make up a health and human resource consultancy group that is committed to ethical practices in dispensing information. The recipes submitted by users all around the world to the aforementioned newsgroup, and subsequently archived in their site (camacdonald.com/lc/), are free to just about anyone for personal non-commercial use.
2. Low Carb Luxury (lowcarbluxury.com) is the online version of its popular magazine, which contains a fine selection of tasty low carb recipes. Visit the website for some free recipe samples, or buy the magazine to stay up to date on the latest healthy culinary sensations!
3. The Low Carb Cafe (lowcarbcafe.com) is an online community where people interested in healthy low fat cooking can meet up and exchange ideas. Members have submitted over 1,400 recipes so far, and the number keeps growing! This site is for the true enthusiast of healthy eats.
4. Simply Recipes (simplyrecipes.com) has a wide selection of detailed recipes, including some for popular low-carb dishes. Simply do a search for “low carb” at the home page, and browse away!
5. Low Carb Recipes (lowcarb-recipes.net) is a website that compiles recipes that aren’t hard on the arteries. It also contains a rating system that allows site visitors to view the recipes by consumer rating! If you’re not sure what to cook, but want to start off on the right foot, this site should be among the ones you should visit first.
Some other popular cooking sites should also have “low carb recipes” on their menu. Remember that low carb doesn’t necessarily mean poor-tasting! Take your time window shopping online, and see which recipes would best suit your budget and your taste.
Carb-Club.com provides you with info on Low carb recipes, and much more, come take a look at http://www.carb-club.com/
Low Carb Rolls
Watch me make some low carb rolls in my unfinished kitchen!
Low Carb Diet Tips-sugar Addictions and the Immune System
Anyone on a low carb diet knows that sugar is harmful to the body in so many ways, including weight gain. If you need some motivation to avoid a sugar addiction, read this list of health problems associated with sugar. The information here has been compiled from medical journals and other publications, including, “Lick The Sugar Habit” by Nancy Appleton, PhD.
1. Sugar suppresses the immune system.
This is the most important reason to avoid a sugar addiction, whether you are trying to maintain a low carb diet or not. Two different research projects that have been done at Loma Linda University evaluated the effects of sugar on phagocytes, the white blood cells of the immune system that eat up harmful bacteria. One of the Loma Linda studies showed that sugar caused the phagocytic index to drop dramatically, which had a negative effect on the amount of bacteria that could be removed by the immune system. To put it simply, the more bacteria consumed by the phagocytes, the stronger the immune system, and the less chance for disease. So, to avoid running low on Pac Men that eat foreign invaders in your immune system, stay away from sugar, including high fructose corn syrup and dextrose.
2. Sugar disrupts the mineral balance in a healthy body. Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and zinc are crucial minerals for the body to function properly. If just one of these minerals is depleted, the entire body chemistry can be disrupted. With just two teaspoons of sugar, micronutrients in the body change radically, causing blood chemistry to shift. Some mineral levels increase, some decrease, and delicate ratios are disturbed. If you are on a low carb diet and concerned about getting enough essential nutrients, such as calcium , this is another good reason to avoid sugar. Even a little sugar can negate the effects of consuming extra calcium or mineral supplements.
3. Sugar can cause obesity, hyperactivity, anxiety, and concentration difficulties in children. Sugar Smacks, Cap ‘N Crunch, Corn Pops, Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms and Trix are just a few of the cereals loaded with sugar that are still being eaten by kids everywhere before they head off to school. Even something as healthy as oatmeal is full of sugar in those instant flavor variety packs. You may think oatmeal is a good low carb, high fiber food, but once the sugar is sprinkled on it, oatmeal is no longer part of a low carb diet. In addition, look at all the sugar being consumed by children in sodas and other products that are loaded with high fructose corn syrup.
Writing for The Journal of Abnormal Psychology in 1986, J. Goldman noted in “Behavioral Effects of Sucrose on Preschool Children” that a dose of sugar equivalent to that found in a 12-ounce soda did indeed disrupt the performance of children at school. It caused their concentration levels to decrease and their inappropriate behaviors to increase. It is important to note that in 1976 the sugar industry found it was less costly to make sugar from corn than from beets or sugar cane. High fructose corn syrup has since replaced sucrose as a sweetener in many processed foods and sodas. It has been shown that fructose causes the white blood cells of the immune system to become inactive and unable to defend the body against harmful intruders. Anyone on a low carb diet should watch out for high fructose corn syrup, and avoid a sugar addiction.
4. A sugar addiction speeds up the aging process. When sugar is consumed on a regular basis the pancreas can become over stimulated and secrete too much insulin. Excess insulin can cause a drop in normal blood sugar levels, and hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, may develop. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can include fatigue, memory failure, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, headaches and depression. These may sound like diseases of the elderly, but more and more young people are noticing these things. If you notice any of these symptoms, try removing sugar from your diet and see what happens. If nothing else, eating a low carb diet with less sugar will probably give you more energy.
5. A sugar addiction can cause arthritis. Arthritis is another disease that has been linked to old age, but now there are many indications that sugar is playing a role in younger people developing arthritic symptoms. As mentioned earlier, a body that is suffering a mineral imbalance may produce inflammation in the bones, joints and cartilage due to the accumulation of toxic minerals, mostly calcium. Once again, the delicate mineral balance has been upset by too much sugar. When one mineral decreases, another may increase, and in some cases, excess calcium will end up in joints, causing arthritic spurs and other problems associated with bone diseases. Simply eliminating sugar and consuming a low carb diet, may result in weight loss, which will help take some of the stress off those achy knees and ankles.
This is just a short list of the many ways that a sugar addiction creates health disasters. It is hard to avoid sugar in foods being sold at grocery stores. However, on the Internet, you can find low carb foods, healthy snacks for a child, nutrition for athletes and other all natural foods that are not loaded with refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Have you ever heard of stevia sweetener? It is the one sweetener that may actually be good for maintaining normal blood sugar levels, and healthy for anyone on a low carb diet. Stevia sweetener is not an artificial sweetener as it is made from the stevia plant. Primarily grown in Peru, stevia has been used by indigenous peoples of South America for centuries as a sweetener for their foods and beverages. So, there are ways to avoid over consumption of sugar, but it takes some awareness. Watch out for high fructose corn syrup, dextrose and dextrin to avoid sugar in many of the foods that line the shelves of grocery stores in America.
Cliff Smith is the owner of an online health food store and is always searching for the best high fiber foods. As a professional television actor who needs to stay fit for the camera, Cliff consumes only the highest quality nutrition for an athlete. He shares his knowledge of health and nutrition with free audio downloads and articles at BestHealthFoodStore.net.
Low Carb List Essentials
Having a list of low carb foods you can use in a pinch is essential for any low carb dieter’s success. Build your list with these foods and succeed in your quest to lose weight the low carb way.
Low Carb Food List
• Heavy Cream
• Luncheon Meats
• Low Carb Wraps/Tortillas
• Cream Cheese
• Salad Mixes
Heavy cream can be used as a base for low carb soups and also whipped with sweetener for a great guilt free dessert. Try adding a little bakers cocoa and sweetener to whipped heavy cream for a delicious chocolate mousse that will cure any dieter’s craving for a sweet chocolate treat.
Luncheon meats are a great choice for lunch or a quick snack. Try spreading cream cheese on a slice of hame and rolling up with a dill pickle, that is one of my favorite quick snacks.
Low carb tortillas are a great staple, they can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Stuff them with luncheon meats and veggies for a filling lunch or cut into strips and bake for a great crunchy snack.
Cream cheese is so versatile. Adding a bit of cream cheese as a thickener to your soups makes them creamy and rich. Using cream cheese you can also make a low carb cheese cake that is so yummy you won’t miss the crust.
Salad mixes of course are on everyone’s list of low carb foods, but you can use those salad mixes to add zest to your lunch wraps by stuffing them chock full of veggies. I use salad mixes this way to save time on all the cutting and chopping for lunches. Just grab a handful of salad mix, some luncheon meat and mayo and roll up your wrap for a crunchy satisfying meal.
A little imagination goes a long way in adding variety to your low carb diet.
Lisa has created a to help you with your low carb lifestyle. Download your copy today.
Low Carb/Fat, Sugar Free, High Protein Cake!
Very tasty and guilt free!
Are Low Carb Diets Safe? Only if you’re a lion!
Are low carb diets safe?
If you want to lose weight, you may be wondering are low carb diets safe? When you are trying to find a diet that really works, you certainly have your work cut out for you. There are so many plans, pills, and programs that one can become easily confused. I am going to help you clear up the popular question, about whether or not low carb diets are safe.
Let’s look at what a low carb diet entails. You eat a large amount of protein and fat and restrict or avoid carbohydrates. When someone asks me are low carb diets safe, the first thing I remind them of is the fact that a low carb diet requires you to deprive yourself of even the healthy carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables. This diet focuses so much on quick weight loss, yet it restricts you from eating the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy and sustain your weight loss. So even if you lose a few quick pounds, you gain it right back with interest. Let’s face it, or bodies need carbs to function properly. Another reason I answer no to the question are low carb diets safe, is that consuming too much protein is bad for you. Among other things, it cause stress on your kidneys as they are trying to rid your body of waste and toxins. When these bad things accumulate, it leads to kidney stones and gallbladder problems. And since low carb diets also restrict your fiber intake, you are also increasing your risk for colon cancer and other bowel disorders.
If someone asks you are low carb diets safe, you can also remind them that these diets reduce healthy glycogen stores in muscles and liver, which can lead to dehydration and muscle loss. The depletion of glycogen can cause you to get tired easily because it reduces your metabolism, burning fewer calories. While I agree that some carbohydrate rich foods such as pasta, refined white bread and rice do not help you lose weight, good carbs like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and brown rice are essential for health and can actually assist with weight loss.
So quit asking yourself if low carb diets are safe. They’re not. Instead, find a diet which incorporates a combination of healthy carbs, proteins, and essential fats. After all, it is a lot easier to stick with a weight loss plan that doesn’t deprive you of your favorite foods!
Most people can’t lose weight even after diets and exercise, and the reason for this is that it is more effective to lose weight naturally by increasing your metabolism through a healthy diet and specific exercise which burn calories even after you stop to rest.
Before beginning a low carb diet, ask yourself, “Are [ .........Read more »
A Simple Low Carb Diet Plan
At last estimate as many as 30 million Americans are following a low carb diet. Advocates contend that the high amount of carbs in our diets has led to the increase in such health problems as obesity and diabetes.
Some diets restrict carbohydrates to a point where the body becomes ketogenic. Ketosis is a physiological condition in response to chronic starvation and causes most of the body to utilize fatty acids as an alternative source of energy.
Most of us don’t need to reach such an extreme. Most of us just need to follow a few simple rules.
And most often these rules won’t mean total abstinence from the foods you love. Just a small deviation from your normal dietary routine. Better choices when it comes to which breads you choose and which snacks you choose too.
It’s not totally off limits to snack, just know that what most people consider snack food’s definitely out of the question.
With that in mind here’s a few ideas as to what should and shouldn’t be included in your low carb diet plan.
Cut out the processed fats including hydrogenated fats, polyunsaturated oils that have been heated, and fats that are combined with junk carbs. Processed fats are the culprits that put on flab and clog your arteries.
Cut the simple carbs like sugar, fructose, bleached flour, cornstarch and fruit juice. Stick with the whole fruit instead, with its fiber intact.
What you want to include are natural proteins, vegetables and whole fruits along with complex carbs such as whole grain breads.
Simple carbs are converted into fat which is stored by the body. This is exactly the problem that causes weight gain. Your body stores the fat for use later, when it thinks you are starving.
Complex carbs, on the other hand, are used for energy. These are good carbs. Yes, there are good carbs too.
This gives you a well balanced low carb diet that doesn’t completely rob you of energy producing carbs. Also by eating high fiber whole grains you’ll keep your insides clean and healthy and you’ll be more regular.
Personally, I like to snack on cheese and pepperoni slices. You get a good amount of protein and fat and virtually no carbs.
Drink plenty of water, excercise regularly and make a low carb diet a part of an overall lifestyle and you’ll surely lose weight, look better and improve your overall health.
LLVLC On YouTube: Introducing Jimmy & Christine (Episode 1)
Popular LivinLaVidaLowCarb.com blogger Jimmy Moore and his lovely wife Christine begin their brand new YouTube video series by talking about their own personal low-carb weight loss success stories. These two are a real hoot together! Keep watching “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube” and send us your comments and questions at livinlowcarbman@charter.net anytime. Visit Jimmy Moore at his www.LivinLaVidaLowCarb.com blog, http podcast and www.LivinLowCarbDiscussion.com forum for even more …
Low-Carb Diet, Should I or Shouldn’t I?
It’s no wonder that confusion reigns when it comes to the worth
and reliability of low-carb diets after all the conflicting
studies and confusing interpretation of the information. It
seems like debates are popping up everywhere!
No matter if it’s Atkins, South Beach or some other low-carb
plan, there are approximately 30 million Americans are on a
low-carb diet.
Supporters contend that the large amount of carbohydrates in our
diet has led to increased problems with obesity, diabetes, and
other health situations. On the other hand, some attribute
obesity and related health problems to over eating of calories
and lack of physical activity. They also express concern that
without grains, fruits, and vegetables in low-carbohydrate diets
may lead to deficiencies of some key nutrients, including
vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, and many minerals.
It is already known that any diet, whether high or low in
carbohydrates, can produce meaningful weight loss during the
early stages of the diet. Keep in mind, the key to a diet being
successful is in being able to lose the weight on a permanent
basis.
Let’s see if we can expose some of the mystery about low-carb
diets. Following, is a listing of some related points taken from
recent studies and scientific literature.
Point 1 – Some Differences Between Low-Carb Diets
There are many famous diets created to lower carbohydrate
consumption. Lowering total carbohydrates in the diet means that
protein and fat will take up a proportionately greater amount of
the total caloric intake.
Low carbohydrate diet like the Atkins Diet restrict carbohydrate
to a point where the body becomes ketogenic (a high-fat,
low-carbohydrate diet that includes normal amounts of protein).
Other low-carb diets like the Zone and Life Without Bread are
less confined. Some, like Sugar Busters announce only to
eliminate sugars and foods that elevate blood sugar levels
excessively.
Point 2 – What We Know about Low-Carb Diets
+Close to all of the studies to date have been small with a
diversity of research objectives. Carbohydrate, caloric intake,
diet duration and participant characteristics are wide-ranged
greatly. Most of the studies to date have two things in common,
none of the research studies had people in the study with a
average age over 53 and none of the controlled studies lasted
more than 90 days.
+The results on older adults and long-term results are scarce.
Many diet studies fail to keep track of the amount of exercise,
and therefore caloric use, while people in the study are
dieting. This helps to explain the variances between studies.
+If you lose weight on a low-carb diet it is a function of the
calorie intake and length of the diet, and not with reduced
amount of carbohydrates.
+There is very little evidence on the long-range safety of
low-carb diets. Even though the medical community has concerns,
no short-term bad effects have been found with cholesterol,
glucose, insulin and blood-pressure levels among the people in
the study on the diets. Because of the short period of the
studies the adverse effects may not show up. Losing weight
typically leads to improvement in these levels, and this may
offset an increase caused by a high fat diet. The over-all
weight changes for low-carb and other types of diets are
similar.
+Most low-carb diets can cause ketosis. Nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, and confusion are some of the potential
consequences. When first starting a low-carb diet some fatigue
and constipation may be met and these symptoms usually disappear
quickly.
+Some report that you can have more calories when on a low-carb
diet. Remember a calorie is a calorie no matter what you intake.
When the study is not closely supervised variations will result
by people cheating in the study on many factors of the study.
There are three important factors I would like to re-emphasize:
1.- The over-all success rate for low-carb and other types of
diets are similar.
2.- Small amount of information exists on the long-term efficacy
and safety of low-carb diets despite their huge popularity,
3.- Dieters usually experience boredom with a strict version of
the low-carb diet and are not able to stay on diets of low carb
food.
After observing the subject, a more severe and controlled study
are needed on a long-range basis. The ketosis produced is
abnormal and stressful metabolic state. The results may cause
more problems than it solved.
By picking a reliable diet you will benefit over a lifetime of
proper eating and not a weight loss quickie. An excellent rule
of thumb is look at the diet long-range and see if you can see
yourself still on that diet after a couple of weeks. However, by
following a diet with fat, carbohydrates, protein and other
nutrients in moderation may be the best way to go and a little
more exercise won’t hurt either.
Most of his knowledge is from investigating the many faucets for
a healthy being. You can learn more of low carb dieting by
visiting: http://www.low-carb-dieting-secrets.com
LLVLC On YouTube: 2009 Update, Blogiversary Contest, 2010 Low-Carb Cruise (Episode 61)
It’s been a busy year so far forLivinLaVidaLowCarb.com blogger Jimmy Moore and his wife Christine as they update you on what’s been going on in their life in the latest installment of his popular “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb on YouTube” series. In Episode 61, Jimmy shares about Christine’s recent surgery to remove a herniated disc from her neck which necessitates her to wear a neck brace for the next couple of months. She’s been a real trooper in her recovery so far and looking forward to being …