Why Are Nitrates Not Allowed on a Low-Carb Diet?

Nitrates are naturally occurring ions that are used for the preservation of certain meats and vegetables. When used as a preservative, nitrates make meats pinker and vegetables appear fresher looking. Nitrates are also said to prevent the growth of bacteria. When participating in a low-carb diet, however, nitrates are not as beneficial as they may seem. Eating foods with nitrates on a low-carb diet has been linked to "stalling." Stalling is the unexpected stop of weight loss even while on the diet. In order to get the best results from your diet, it is best to cut nitrates out.

Food and Vegetables to Avoid

Processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, sausages and ham contain large quantities of nitrates. Cauliflower, collard greens and spinach contain higher amounts of nitrates than other vegetables. Meats high in nitrates content are also often high in fat. This may explain why stalling occurs if you eat nitrates while on a low-carb diet. The amount of fat found in foods high in nitrates may exceed the amount suggested for foods within the diet. This increased fat intake then prevents the body from shedding the desired weight.

Processed meats not only lead to excess fat intake that prevents weight loss---they may also lead to high cholesterol levels. According to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, meats that are typically part of a low-carb diet can, over time, cause plaque buildup in arteries. While your goal may be to reduce your cholesterol levels using the low-carb diet, eating these meats may prevent you from doing so. In the end, the benefits of your low-carb diet are minimized significantly when you consume foods containing nitrates.

Make a Low-Carb Diet Work for You

If you find it difficult to cut these meats out of your low-carb diet, try to find preservative-free fresh meats. There may be a butcher in your area or even a mail-order meat source that can be found online. Also, switching to tofu or fish for protein instead of meats high in nitrates may also be an option. Choose portion sizes that adhere to your low-carb diet. Nitrates are found in many things that we commonly eat and drink, such as well water. Because nitrates are sometimes unavoidable, monitoring your nitrate intake carefully is a must.