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You really can eat more and lose weight, but not without making trade-offs and choices. When you're walking the line of a low-carb life, you know that controlling your carbs is just part of the equation. Watching those calories is important, too, and don't forget being on the lookout for bad fats. So, with a little tweak here and there, you can eat more food and take in fewer carbs and calories, lowering your bad fat intake. And with a smidgen of movement every day — voilà! You're a happier (and slimmer) camper!
Broccoli
Broccoli is considered a "super food" because it's full of nutrients and packed with fiber. Just 1/2 cup broccoli contains almost a whole day's worth of vitamin C. The green veggie also fires your metabolic furnace, helping your body burn calories (fat).
Eat raw broccoli for snacks — either on its own or with a bit of dip to spice things up. (Just don't go too heavy on the dip, or you'll cancel out all the good stuff you're getting.) And steamed broccoli isn't the only way to prepare this great veggie. Flip through your favorite cookbooks or jump online to explore your options with new broccoli recipes.
Bell peppers
You can dress bell peppers up and take them anywhere! They can be a snack, an appetizer, an entree, an ingredient in a wrap, or a side dish, and they're packed with vitamin C and a high concentration of key antioxidants. You can't lose with the bright rainbow of red, yellow, orange, and green bell peppers. (The red and yellow varieties are especially sweet.) Cut peppers into crispy strips and carry them with you for quick and refreshing snacks with some of your favorite low-carb dip. Just seeing this rainbow of colors will brighten up your mood!
Dark, leafy greens
Thinking green gets you far on the yellow brick road of a low-carb, healthy lifestyle. You'll be knocking on the door of wellness before Dorothy can even click her ruby red slippers together. The antioxidants in the dark, leafy greens are off the charts and help prevent chronic disease.
When it comes to leafy greens, your choices are vast and varied, from spinach to lettuces and salad greens with a bunch more green bunches in between. There's more to your leafy green low-carb life than just another boring salad or side dish. You can spice things up with sauces, herbs, and spices and take the green stuff from ho-hum to yum-yum!
Cabbage, cauliflower, and other cruciferous veggies
In addition to broccoli, cruciferous vegetables include cabbages, cauliflower, turnips, and radishes. Whether you eat a variety of these veggies raw, cooked with an entree, or as a main meal, you've got a win/win situation. Their protective health benefits are impressive, and they have the low carb counts and high fiber counts that are so important to your low-carb lifestyle. So graze as often as you wish with these guys.
Nuts and seeds
Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds . . . the list goes on and on. You've probably heard that eating a few nuts a day will help you lose more weight. The keyword here is few — that means not a whole bag. Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Their protein and fat contents make them satisfying craving controllers and between-meal snacks. Get in the habit of carrying a little snack-sized bag around with you for the times when you get that pesky growl in your tummy.
Sliced turkey breast
Keep slices of turkey breast in your fridge for snacks. You'll find it very satisfying for grazing and very kind to your carb counts. If you're in a hurry for some sustenance, plain slices are great on their own. If you have a bit more time, you can roll it around a cold piece of asparagus to get protein and a vegetable in one handy nibble. Or spread a little cream cheese on a slice of turkey, sprinkle some fresh chives across the top, and then roll it up for another tasty snack.
Fish
Fish, for the most part, is perfect for your low-carb lifestyle. Make the choice to broil, grill, poach, or bake your fish, and you're home free. Some oily fishes, such as salmon, herring, and sardines, provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s aid in cholesterol reduction and the prevention of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Visit your fresh fish counter often. Remember: Eat more fish — lose more weight.
 | When it comes to fish, the only thing you really have to watch out for is the preparation. Obviously, battered and deep-fried are no-nos. |
Blackberries
Blackberries are highly recommended for almost any low-carb lifestyle. Why are such little fruits so important? Well, they're low on the glycemic index and don't make your insulin spike. Add to that the fact that 1/2 cup of blackberries contains lots of vitamin C and a little over 3 grams of fiber that knocks the net carb count down to about 6 grams. So go ahead and stir a few fresh blackberries into some Greek yogurt (which has low carb counts) for a real low-carb treat.
Tea
If you're feeling hungry or raving for a craving of some sort, try a cup of hot tea. It should take away your craving. And even better than the quick craving fix, that little cup of tea is loaded with antioxidant properties (even more if it's green tea). Tea also speaks a discouraging word to blood clots and helps reduce fat levels in the blood. Relax for a few minutes and make any time teatime.
Black soybeans
Black soybeans are one of the best-kept secrets in the universe. These little rascals not only taste great and work wonderfully in recipes that call for some kind of beans, but they're also good for you and your healthy low-carb lifestyle. You can use them in chili, soups, stews, and some bean salads, and they make great black bean dip. One cup of these little jewels contains 16 grams of carbs and 14 grams of fiber for a net carb count of only 2 grams!
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