Here are the five worst mistakes you can make if you want to be successful on a low carbohydrate diet.
1. Skipping meals. A low carbohydrate diet means that you are restricting your source of quick energy. Skipping a meal, especially breakfast, means that you risk a drop in your blood sugar that can cause light-headedness, fatigue, and discouragement.
2. Not reading labels. Packaged foods may have a huge banner on the front that read “Sugar Free” or “No Sugar Added” and still be high in carbohydrates.
3. Not getting enough fiber. A low carbohydrate diet can lead to constipation, which slows weight loss. In addition, adequate fiber is beneficial in reducing more serious types of health problems, such as colon cancer and cholesterol levels.
4. Skipping vegetables. Many people have become so used to having corn, potatoes, or rice as a side dish with every meal that they simply eliminate all vegetables due to either lack of interest or lack of desire. There are many vegetables that are excellent on a low carb diet, contain few calories, and have high fiber content; there are also ways to season them without adding any “no-no’s” that change the taste dramatically.
5. Lack of imagination. It’s easy on any diet to become stuck in a rut and resort to eating the same thing over and over again. Sooner or later, though, boredom sets in until you think you can’t possibly face another broiled chicken. Rotate your foods, educate yourself, and look for new things to try.