There’s a ton of hype with low-carb diets, known for its efficient fat burn and weight loss. But with its hype also comes confusion. Low-carb diet plans aren’t as simple as it sounds and unfortunately, there are quite a few mistakes one can commit which can break their goals!
So if you feel like you’ve hit a weight loss plateau during your diet, then you should acquaint yourself with low-carb diet mistakes to get your diet right. Check out these five common mistakes to help you shed the pounds.
1. No Vegetables Or Fiber
You might be rejoicing over having NO more vegetables when you’re on a low-carb diet. After all, vegetables and fibre contain more carbs and no fat, right? Well, that’s where you’re wrong. You don’t need to avoid your fruits and vegetables, particularly your dark leafy greens or berries and avocados! These types of food have a ton of micronutrients and are low in carbs so you won’t be ruining your diet.
Always add a serving of vegetables to your meals, focusing on broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, or cauliflower. Kale and spinach are kings in all types of diets as well, which are low in calories but can be added to many dishes!
2. Not Counting Macros
Yes, you should count your calories but don’t forget about your macronutrients as well! Without counting your carbs correctly, you wouldn’t be able to stay on a low-carb diet at all.
Remember that you shouldn’t only focus on avoiding carbs but also to count how much fat and protein you take in. Fat is nine calories per gram and overeating of it can have you gain weight. I recommend that you eat an adequate amount of protein from fatty fish high in omega-3 (seafood), as well as lean protein from beef or pork. Focus on healthier fats as well, coming from avocados, extra virgin olive oil, or nuts.
3. Too Much Dairy Or Nuts!
Another mistake many low-carb dieters commit is overeating nuts or dairies. Nuts are high in calories and mindlessly overeating for it as a snack can have you gain weight. So while it’s okay to have a few nuts to keep you satiated, don’t overdo it.
As for dairy, having full-fat milk or yogurt can lead to insulin spikes, which isn’t suitable for those who have diabetes. And just like nuts, since they are high in fat and calories for a small serving, you may go overboard and consume too much of it, leading to weight gain. You might want to cut off dairy besides butter or cream altogether because of this.
4. Having Alcohol Or Cheat Meals
It’s obvious that alcohol is a huge no-no but let’s explain why!
Alcohol isn’t only high in calories (hello, weight gain!) but it also discourages fat burn. Sure, it doesn’t have any sugar, but because your body can’t store fat, it will need to metabolize. As a result, you won’t experience the burn if you reached ketosis. Furthermore, drinking alcohol would increase your appetite and lessen your self-control with eating, which is NOT good for weight loss.
As for cheat meals, you may think that it’s a way to “restart” your metabolism, but it’s counterproductive for the diet. It ends up with you binging and trying to make up for it in the coming days. Simply eat in moderation and only have a few cheat meals a year, rather than do it regularly.
5. No Effective Meal Plan
This is a common mistake many dieters commit. If you do not have an adequate plan, then you won’t be able to get through your diet properly! Studies show that if you plan or track your intake, along with receiving community support, then it can improve your chances of weight loss. Planning also helps reduce excessive snacking or binging. Sure, you won’t need to have a diet plan forever, but it will help prevent you from committing these common low-carb diet mistakes!
Wrapping It Up
Following a low-carb diet isn’t just about removing pasta or rice in your diet. There are macronutrients, calorie-counting, and a lot of meal planning involved to ensure that you are losing weight and burning fat efficiently. Even if you take ketone supplements or exercise your butt off, you wouldn’t be able to reach your weight goals if you still commit common low-carb diet mistakes and stray away from your diet.
Hopefully, these common low-carb diet mistakes helped you learn more about what you should begin improving your meal plan. I wish you luck and that you will be able to achieve milestones with your journey!
For those who have any queries or would like to share their experiences with a low-carb diet, then let me know in the comment section below!