Carb Slashers » Diet

Low Carb Roasted Peppers (IF)

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:34:04 +0000

I got asked for an Induction-friendly recipe video, and my mind immediately went to the Poblano peppers I had in my fridge. Peppers are an awesome part of any Atkins Diet menu, and are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Ingredients: 4 Large Poblano Peppers, Broiled, skin removed 1.5 pounds Ground Beef (85%/15%) 1 TBS Taco Seasoning (see recipe below) 1/2 cup Heavy Cream 1/2 cup Salsa 1 1/4 cup Shredded Cheese 1/4 cup diced tomatoes (optional) 1. Brown Ground Beef, Drain, and add Taco Seasoning 2. Roast Peppers on Top Shelf under broiler, rotating every 2-3 minutes 3. Add Salsa, Cream, and Cheese to ground beef, and heat until cheese is melted. 4. Remove Peppers from Oven, and peel loosened skin off peppers. Remove Stem core and seeds from inside. 5. Add meat mixture to roasted peppers, and cover with 1-2 oz of Shredded Cheese 6. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is golden brown. Makes 4 servings. Nutrition Info per Serving: 510 Calories, 37g Fat, 7g Carbs (1.5g Fiber), 37g Protein Taco Seasoning: 2 TBS Chili Powder 2 TBS Paprika 4 tsp Cumin 1 TBS Onion Powder 1 TBS Garlic Powder 1 TBS Salt 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper (to taste) (IF = Induction Friendly)

Technorati Tags: Atkins, carb, Diet, Peppers, recipes, Roasted

Drink Water Before Meals

admin — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:34:30 +0000

Drinking water before meals is the best way to lose weight
Washington, Aug 24 : Have you tried out every trick in the book to lose weight – crash diets, gyms, or simply starving yourself? Now, try a simple trick – drink a glass or two of water before meals, as that’s the best way to curb appetite and shed those pounds – says a new research.
“In this recent study, we found that over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before meals, three times per day, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake,” said Brenda Davy of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

Technorati Tags: Diet, Eating, Weight, Weightloss

Atkins Diet Recipes: Low Carb Cheese Crisps (IF)

admin — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:37:32 +0000

***Join the Atkins Diet Video Facebook fan page -bit.ly *** ** My Low Carb Blog – www.atkinsdietgeek.com ** In partnership with FaveDiets (http recipe site, I continue down my low carb snack recipe video series to satisfy some of the requests. This obviously Induction Friendly recipe is a simple “need a snack now” recipe. They do however keep really well in the fridge for at least a few days and work well as a replacement for chips with dips (salsa, guacamole, sour cream dips). Ingredients: 8 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded (or combination of cheeses) Spices (to taste) Nutrition Info: (2 crisps) 171 Calories, 11g Fat, 2g Carbs, 15g Protein For more free healthy recipes, cooking tips and tutorials go to www.FaveDiets.com (IF = Induction Friendly)

Technorati Tags: Atkins, carb, cheese, Crisps, Diet, induction friendly, low-carb, recipes

Atkins Diet Misconceptions: Low Carb Diets and Gout

admin — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:06:02 +0000

In a response to a TV episode on the show Royal Pains, I analyze the claims that a high fat diet will necessarily lead to the pain associated with gout and gout attacks. The conventional wisdom seems often analogous to popular, but wrong cholesterol theorem that dietary cholesterol leads to increased cholesterol in the blood. Is the popular theory right? What is Gout? Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when abnormally high levels of uric acid build up in the body, causing crystals to form in joints. The crystals cause sudden, severe attacks of joint pain and swelling. Uric acid is a substance that is normally released by the kidneys when the body breaks down waste products called purines. When the kidneys are no longer able to flush uric acid out of the body properly, it crystallizes and accumulates around the joints. Misconception that Atkins is only acidic foods: Alkaline Foods Extremely Alkaline Forming Foods – pH 8.5 to 9.0: Cantaloupe, Cayenne (Capsicum), Kelp, Melons, Watercress, Seaweed Moderate Alkaline Forming Foods – pH 7.5 to 8.0 Alfalfa sprouts, Avocados, Berries, Carrots, Celery, Lettuce (leafy green), Peas (fresh sweet), Pumpkin (sweet), Spinach, Bell Pepper, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (pale green), Strawberry, Squash , Sweet corn (fresh), Sour Dairy Slightly Alkaline to Neutral Forming Foods – pH 7.0 Almonds , Artichokes (Jerusalem), Brussel Sprouts, Coconut (fresh), Cucumbers, Egg plant, Onions, Tomatoes (sweet), Mayonnaise (home made …

Technorati Tags: Atkins, carb, Diet, Diets, Gout, Misconceptions

Low Carb Ricotta Creme

admin — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 18:17:33 +0000

Dessert made from Ricotta cheese, vanilla, extract, splenda, and coconut. 1/2 Cup part-skim ricotta cheese 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 package sugar substitute 1 pinch of coconut Mix ricotta, vanilla, sugar substitute, and pinch of coconut in a dessert bowl. Serve chilled.

Technorati Tags: Diet, Low Carb Deserts, low-carb, lowcarb, Recipe

Low Carb Eggplant Parmesan One Dish Meal

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:27:50 +0000

Ingredients: 1 Medium Eggplant, thinly sliced 1 cup of grated parmesan 2 eggs 1 pound ground beef, browned 8 oz Sausage, browned 2 cloves garlic 1.5 cups of No Sugar Added Spaghetti Sauce 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded 1. Thinly slice eggplant, and put in egg wash. 2. Coat eggplant in Parmesan cheese 3. Heat oil in frying pan, and once hot, fry eggplant 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. 4. Brown ground beef and sausage. Once drained, add garlic and spaghetti sauce and heat for 5 minutes while finishing frying eggplant slices. 5. Layer the eggplant, meat mixture, and cheese to form 3 layers. Optional – dust top with excess Parmesan cheese. Makes 6 servings: Nutrition info per serving: 456 Calories, 33g Fat, 9.3 Total Carbs ( minus 3.3g fiber), 30g Protein.

Technorati Tags: Atkins, carb, Diet, eggplant, low-carb, Parmesan, Recipe

Solid And Effective: The South Beach Diet

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:39:26 +0000

As a practicing cardiologist Dr Arthur Agatson was getting more and more frustrated when his patients failed to lose weight. They were faithfully following the standard, low-fat American Heart Association diet on his advice, with no results. He noticed that, not only didn’t they lose weight, but their blood chemistry did not improve. The results he was looking for was an increase in HDL (good cholesterol) and a decrease in LDL (bad cholesterol). Eventually, he developed a new diet specifically for his patients, which later became the basis for his best seller book, The South Beach Diet, which was first published in April 2003. The South Beach Diet was on the New York Times best seller list for more than 96 consecutive weeks, and in excess of 8.5 million copies have been printed. The book was listed as #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list for 38 weeks. Like many other so-called “low carb” diets, the South Beach Diet assumes that many of us are addicted to carbohydrate-rich foods. The South Beach Diet is very similar to the Atkins Diet. They are so similar that many people believe the South Beach Diet is just a revised version of the Atkins Diet. The first phases for both diets are designed to get rid of the body’s addition to carbohydrates. Where the Atkins Diet has four phases, the South Beach Diet only has three, with a single phase replacing the second and third phases of Atkins. The last phases of both diets, again, are very similar. Since greater variety of foods are introduced earlier on in the South Beach Diet Plan, dieters tend to lose weight at a slightly slower pace than those on Atkins, but many find the South Beach Diet easier to follow because it is less restrictive. This diet focuses heavily on balancing the blood sugar levels, and as such, the Glycemic Index plays a very important role in this diet. The Glycemic Index is a ranking system for carbohydrates based on their effect on blood sugar. On the South Beach Diet, carbohydrates are selected using the Glycemic Index tables; the lower the ranking the better. This also leads us to one of the South Beach Diet’s major differences from the Atkins diet. The South Beach Diet allows most carbohydrates (preferably only those high in fiber, like multi-grain bread and wild rice), while these products are typically just too high in carbohydrates for an Atkins follower, even on the maintenance phase. Another area where the approaches of Atkins and Agatston differ quite drastically is on the healthy intake of fats. Atkins followers are encouraged to ingest saturated and monounsaturated fats in the first phase, and then gradually reduce the saturated fat content of meals during later phases as more carbohydrates are introduced. Dr. Agatston advocates mostly monounsaturated fats, like those found in olive oil, nuts and oily fish like salmon, throughout his diet. You will not find butter, bacon or anything fried in the South Beach meal plans, whereas they are positively encouraged during the first Atkins phases. One of the benefits of the South Beach Diet over many of its competitors is that Kraft Foods entered into an alliance with Dr Agatston. Together they launched a whole range of South Beach Diet convenience products, which covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and even snacks. Examples of the convenience food on offer include breakfast cereal, meal replacement bars, frozen pizzas and frozen entrees. Dr Agatston once stated “My goal is to help change the way America eats, and these great-tasting, nutrient-rich products from Kraft are convenient, making it easier for people to follow The South Beach Diet – whether for a healthy lifestyle or weight loss.” As with many of the other popular diet books on the market, it is very difficult to find specific scientific proof for the South Beach Diet. Some aspects of the diet may have been scientifically studied and reviewed, for example the benefits of monounsaturated fats, or the benefits of regulating your blood sugar. In general though, it is safe to say that the South Beach Diet is based on sound principles, and can offer you a well-balanced and sustainable way of life.

Jo Campbell is an expert in the field of weight loss and management. She writes for OptimalBodyWeight.com

Technorati Tags: Beach, Diet

How Many Calories Should I Eat to Lose Weight? Here are the magic numbers

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:39:20 +0000

I want to lose weight. I want to lose weight quick. How many calories should I eat to lose weight? That answer depends on many factors, there is no magic number, if you will. A person’s daily recommended caloric intake for weight loss will depend on such factors as height, current weight, fat to muscle ratio, etc. However, there are some general rules of thumb that do apply.

If you are wondering, “How many calories should I eat to lose weight?”, a great place to start is to find your personal BMR (basal metabolic rate). There are many BMR calculators available online that will do these calculations for you. This calculation will give you the number of calories you will need in order to maintain your current weight. From here, you can decide at what rate you would like to lose the weight and subtract calories from this number. To lose one pound, the body must be deficient of 3500 calories. A person can deduct these calories either through exercise or by deducting calories from their daily food intake. By simply cutting 250 calories from your diet each day when figuring how many calories should I eat to lose weight, and walking moderately for 30 minutes five days per week, you can lose at least one pound per week.

Cutting at least 250 calories from your diet each day should not be difficult. If you are a soda drinker, a great way to cut out those calories is to skip a can of soda per day. Sodas are full of sugar and chemicals and are com plete empty calories. This means that they only do harm to your body. Sodas have absolutely no nutritional value. Skipping the fast food line is also an easy way to cut the unwanted calories and fat from your diet when deciding on how many calories I should eat to lose weight. It is common knowledge that fast food is laden with fat and unneeded calories. Instead, opt for fresh salads, small amounts of proteins, and small amounts of complex carbohydrates like brown rice. If you do splurge for fast food, order the smallest burger on the menu and remove the top half of the bun. Instead of greasy fries, order a side salad, and instead of a soda, opt for water instead.

As you can see, “How many calories should I eat to lose weight?”, is a question without a simple answer. There are many theories floating around out there that do not force a person to count calories, but most of these theories lead to fad dieting, which is unhealthy and unproductive.

The good news is that it is fairly simple to calculate how many calories you need to consume in order to lose the weight in a healthy manor. As long as you remember that you need to delete 3500 calories in some way, shape or form from your body to lose a pound, you can easily figure what foods are worth eating and which ones you need to steer clear of. Once you learn to eat in moderation and exercise regularly, the weight will start to come off. Weight loss is not a crap shoot, it is simply science.

Stephen Choy, editor of www.quickways2loseweight.com

Technorati Tags: calories, Diet, loose weight, quick weight loss

Beyond the South Beach Diet – How to Cook Low-carb Long Term

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:49:17 +0000

The South Beach Diet is one of the most popular diets in decades. All over the world, people are taking off weight by stripping carbs and, in the process, learning to eat healthier meals. One of the true beauties of South Beach is that it teaches you a whole new way of eating for a healthier, happier lifestyle. Eating healthy the South Beach way requires an adjustment in your cooking styles, too, though. Once you learn to cook low-carb, you’ll find it easier to maintain your new weight and your new healthier lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you put it all together.

1. Invest in a good cookbook.

The third phase of the South Beach diet is a lifetime maintenance plan that lets you eat a wide variety of healthy foods. If your recipe repertoire was based on high-fat meals with creamy sauces and processed foods, you’ll need to build up a stock of new recipes. The South Beach Diet book is a good start. It contains a lot of easy to cook recipes that will get you started on building a new repertoire of healthy meals. You’ll also find dozens of South Beach cookbooks on the market that will give you some ideas on the best ways to put your new-found food savvy to use.

2. Think fresh!

Processed foods are the very antithesis of healthy low-carb eating. Even processed meats are packed with fillers that add in carbs and calories without offering anything in the way of nutrition. Try to shop the outside aisles of the supermarket – fresh fruits and veggies, meats and dairy – and avoid all the filler meals in between.

3. Learn simple cooking methods.

Learning to cook the South Beach way is surprisingly simple – a lot simpler than the techniques you probably use for cooking now. Steaming, poaching, braising, roasting and grilling involve very little prep time. If a recipe calls for dredging in flour or dusting with breadcrumbs, throw it out. You’ll learn a whole new appreciation for real, whole foods when you cook them simply.

4. Color your plate pretty.

A healthy plate is full of vibrant, brilliant colors. When you prepare a plate for yourself, think in color. Deep green, dark orange and bright red vegetables are low in healthy carbohydrates, minerals and vegetables. White potatoes, rice and breads are not. Your best bet is to eat your veggies when they’re at their peak of color – before overcooking robs them of their minerals and vitamins.

5. Spice it up!

Spices are a great way to brighten up flavors in your foods. There’s a whole world of spices at your fingertips, and learning to use them can really wake up your plate and your palate. Learning about the spices used in various regional cuisines can help you turn a meal from bland to POW with just a few shakes of the spice bottle. Some spices and spice combinations to try are:

Curry isn’t just for Indian food anymore. A sprinkle of curry (use a light hand!) can really wake up the flavor in a fresh fruit salad, especially when you add a dab of vanilla.
Cinnamon is an unusual and delicious spice addition to chicken dishes.
Lemon grass oil adds a tart edge to salads and vegetables. Just a dash added to the olive oil when you sauté chicken also brightens the flavor and really wakes up your taste buds.
Rosemary gives everything an earthy, sharp flavor that is the perfect foil for poultry and pork.

6. Add a little garnish to your life.

Garnishes are more than just pretty things on your plate. Fresh herbs, slices of fruit and strips of raw vegetable are more than a treat for your eyes. They add a healthy balance to your diet as well. Choose edible garnishes – a slice of lemon can be squeezed over fish or chicken to brighten flavors, for instance.

The most important things to remember about cooking low-carb for the long term are these:
Skip the white foods. They’re almost always processed
Cook simply. Cooking low carb is usually quick, easy and uncomplicated.
Use olive oil for dressings and sautéing.
Get colorful. The more color there is on your plate, the healthier your meal will be.

Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who writes about topics involving health and healthy living similar to what consumers read in Cooking Light Magazine

Technorati Tags: Beach, cook, Diet, lowcarb

The South Beach Diet Plan: The Best South Beach Diet Foods

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:42:46 +0000

You have to starve to lose weight, right? Wrong! I had always thought the only way to lose a few pounds was to starve myself until the weight was gone. Boy was I ever wrong.
When I first heard about the South Beach Diet, and watched the people around me eating all kinds of great foods, I figured this was just another fad diet that would disappear after everyone realized it didn’t work. But it does work. People are losing weight and eating too.
Completely flabbergasted at how much food my brother was eating on the program, I logged onto the South Beach Diet website to find out what it was all about. That’s when I learned the simple truth about dieting: not only do you not need to starve yourself to lose weight – you actually lose more weight if you eat!
Unlike a lot of other diets that make you count calories, count carbs and either eliminate all fats and protein, or gorge on them all day long, South Beach doesn’t require counting anything, and it lets you eat plenty of nutritious foods like all the other people around you.
Developed by a leading research cardiologist with Mount Sinai Medical Center, I found South Beach to be completely safe and heart healthy – a plus for someone like me in their 50s who’s worried about their cholesterol and what it’s doing to their heart.
Unable to completely give up food – even to lose a few pounds – I was thrilled to discover that the South Beach Diet would allow me to eat until I was satisfied, as long as I chose highly nutritious foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and cheeses and low-sugar snacks.
Scrambled eggs for breakfast, all types of soups and salads for lunch, and plenty of grilled or sauteed fish, chicken, pork and even lean beef are all allowed in Phases II and III. Believe it or not, dessert isn’t even off limits with this diet.
So, how does South Beach work if you’re allowed to continue eating until you’re full? The answer is in Phase I, which by the way, is the hardest part of the program. During this first 2-week time period, the diet does severely restrict what you can eat, but not how much you can eat.
In the first two weeks of the South Beach Diet, followers are required to give up all sugars and carbohydrates in order to break their body’s unhealthy addiction to processed foods, starches and sugars.
Since you’re basically going “cold turkey” on sugar and carbs, you can expect to feel pretty lousy for the first several days. I personally experienced headaches, listlessness and severe crankiness. But, to be honest, it didn’t last long, and since I had plenty of other food choices to keep me feeling full, I wasn’t hungry at all.
Once my addiction to the junky foods was broken, and my body’s glucose levels were able to naturally even out and stay at the same levels throughout the day, I suddenly felt a burst of energy like I hadn’t had in years. No more ups and downs during the day depending on what snack food I was relying on to keep me going. Better yet, my cravings for sugar and carbohydrates were disappearing – a miracle!
Once my addiction was broken and my cravings subsided during Phase I, I was able to reintroduce some of those forbidden foods like breads, brown rice, fresh fruit, juices and even some desserts. Funny, though, with my carb addiction broken, I didn’t crave those foods like I once had, and a few bites of a baked potato along with a nice piece of chicken and some grilled vegetables straight from my garden now satisfied me.
Before long I was noticing that my pants were getting bigger and my waistline was getting smaller, all while I continued to eat as much as I wanted of the foods that were good for me.
I can honestly say that South Beach has been less of a diet for me and more of an awakening on how good I can feel eating the foods that my body most deserves. Try it. You’ll be surprised at how good you can feel – and look!

Most people fail on South Beach because they don’t know what to eat. These sites solve that problem: The South Beach Diet plan resources on Rate-Diets.com; this South Beach Diet plan page on Trailfire; and this South Beach Diet plan page on Netscape are all you need.

Technorati Tags: Beach, Diet, foods