Decided to cut back on excess carbohydrates and sugar to shed pounds and flatten your belly but finding it really challenging? The good news is that when following a low-carb diet for prediabetes, diabetes, or weight loss, you can still enjoy delicious foods with some simple and tasty swaps to cut the carbs and calories.
Following even a few of these easy low-carb hacks will help you to break the relentless addiction to carbs and benefit you in multiple ways with losing weight and creating optimum health.
7 Low-Carb Hacks For Successful Weight Loss
1. Eat More Protein
Protein balances blood sugar and stops hunger and cravings for hours.
- Protein triggers the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), which is a natural appetite suppressant.
- It stops the hunger hormone Ghrelin, which tells the brain that you have had enough food.
- It also increases muscle mass; the more muscle you have, the higher the metabolism.
Researches in the past have also shown that those who ate two eggs in the morning were 50% more likely to lose weight than those who did not eat eggs.
2. Replace Bread With Lettuce Wraps
Is lettuce the new bread? Yes, if you want to lose weight and stop cravings. Simply swapping carb-heavy bread with lettuce or collard greens makes a delectable, healthy, and slimming sandwich.
Wrap the leaves around any type of meat or poultry, such as a turkey burger, or make a lettuce “boat” filled with tuna salad. They are an excellent alternative to a sandwich and an easy way of eating salad on the go since you eat them like a wrap.
3. Crowd Out Your Meals
It’s all about adding instead of taking out. Crowd out unhealthy foods and cravings by filling your plate with veggies. This is a highly effective hack as it not only fills you up but also increases your daily veggie goal.
- The phytonutrients in the veggies help to reverse fat cell inflammation, which then leads to weight loss.
- Veggies are also packed with fiber to help keep you satiated.
To begin your goal of crowding out, start by filling at least half your plate at lunch and dinner with fresh vegetables in any form.
4. The Breadless Burger Hack
The next time you want a burger, use the perfect low-carb hamburger bun hack – the portobello mushroom. The portobello mushroom is meaty, large, and strong enough to hold a burger; all you need to do is grill it along with the burgers or simply bake it.
Portobello mushrooms are highly nutritious as they are high in fiber, vitamin D, and nutrients that boost immunity. Low vitamin D is associated with weight gain and stubborn belly fat. So enjoy a hearty, meaty burger without the carbohydrate load.
5. Cut Your Carb By Half
You can cut your carb intake in half by eating only half the bread or bun. Most breads are high in white flour and sugar. The combination of white flour and sugar is a weight-gain bomb. By eating only half of it and cutting the carb intake in half, you keep your blood sugar stable, thus avoiding any future cravings and hunger.
6. Don’t Forget Cucumbers
If you love crackers, use slices of cucumber instead. Sliced cucumbers are a crunchy and easy way to reduce carbs and increase your healthy veggies. They are big on taste and low on carbs.
Just top slice cucumber with your choice of cheese, cream cheese, smoked salmon, avocado, pate, ham, sliced olives, spices, etc.
7. No More Mashed Potatoes
Cauliflower crusts, mashed cauliflower, cauliflower rice – you have most likely seen these options everywhere and for a good reason. This super food is delicious and packed with phytochemicals that translate to optimal health, weight loss and are very low in carbohydrates. If you love carb-heavy mashed potatoes, you will be devoted to mashed cauliflower as it is a simple and easy low-carb hack.
Cut the cauliflower into sizeable chunks, simmer in water (or broth) until tender, drain very well, and mash until creamy. The,n add butter, salt, and pepper (or any other condiment you desire).
Remember, every single low-carb swap makes a powerful impact upon your weight and health. And the best part? You will not miss out on the carbs!
