Although many diets want to eliminate carbohydrates from our daily diet, the truth is that our body needs these nutrients for various functions in the body. Therefore, it is important to understand that even if we reduce the consumption of some foods rich in carbohydrates, we must continue to consume other foods low in carbohydrates that our body can use for its basic functions.
The first thing we must do is differentiate between foods with complex carbohydrates, such as cereals, pasta or bread; and foods with simple carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables.
So, if you want to go on a low-carbohydrate diet, you should only reduce the consumption of foods with complex carbohydrates and not all foods with carbohydrates. In that case, we will include low-carbohydrate foods in our diet that provide us with these nutrients in a simple and healthy way.
What foods are low in carbohydrates?
Mainly fruits and vegetables, although there are other low-carb foods within each category as well.
Fruits: carbohydrates from fruits are always healthy, so we should not abandon them even if we are following a low-carbohydrate diet. Among the fruits with the least amount of carbohydrates are:
- Blueberries
- The blackberries
- Strawberries
Vegetables: carbohydrates from vegetables are also healthy, although in many diets they restrict the consumption of vegetables with a high starch content, such as potatoes, carrots or corn. Thus, the vegetables with the least carbohydrates are usually those with green leaves:
- Celery
- The radish
- Cabbage
- The mushrooms
- The cucumbers
- Aromatic herbs such as parsley or basil
Eggs: eggs are very versatile when it comes to following a low-carbohydrate diet, since they serve as a side or main dish in a multitude of options.
Milk and derivatives: many cheeses and dairy derivatives contain a low proportion of carbohydrates and are very healthy in terms of calcium or protein content.
