Low Carb Foods for Losing Body Fat

Low-carb diets are touted as a fast and easy weight loss method that allows you to eat many of the foods you might normally enjoy and still lose weight. These do not restrict calories or fat, but they do rely heavily on foods that have very low or no carbohydrates to induce fat loss. Because low-carbohydrate diets are restrictive of certain food groups, consult with a doctor before beginning the program.

Meats

Foods that will help you lose body fat on a low-carb diet include fish, steak, chicken, pork, and other meats. Meats generally contain no carbohydrates and are often eaten in unlimited amounts on low-carb diets. Carbohydrates, according to mayoclinic.com, are thought to raise sugar and insulin in the blood, which contributes to a lack of fat-burning. The idea behind a low-carb diet is that a lack of carbohydrates will decrease blood sugar and insulin in the body and be forced to use fat for energy, thereby burning fat stores. Eat a wide variety of lean cuts of meat morning, noon and night to encourage fat loss.

Eggs

Eggs are the perfect food on a low-carbohydrate diet. They contain no carbohydrates and can be eaten in unlimited amounts. According to atkins.com, when you eat less carbohydrates, they no longer serve as an energy source and your body has to burn fat for energy. Limit egg yolks to protect the heart and cholesterol levels. Mix one egg yolk for every three eggs if you are consuming four or more eggs daily. Eggs can be cooked scrambled, poached, fried, over-easy, boiled or in an omelet.

Vegetables

Vegetables are generally eaten in smaller amounts on a low-carb diet, because they do have some carbohydrate content. According to atkins.com, in order for the body to go into lipolysis (fat-burning mode), and begin to burn fat, carbohydrates should be limited to less than 20 g to 30 g daily. Most low-carbohydrate diets begin with very few vegetables and gradually introduce them into the diet after the first few weeks. About 1 cup per day of lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and most other vegetables can be consumed.