Typical Carb Free Diet

Carb-free diets are somewhat of a misnomer, as any extremely low-carb diet falls under the auspices of this definition. You should realize that not all low-carb diets are created equal. There are three general categories of low-carb diets: extremely low-carb "carb-free" diets, ketogenic low-carb diets and non-ketogenic low-carb diets. All can help you achieve your weight loss goals. The only trick is picking the one that is most suitable for your needs. What follows are some commonalities and information about a typical carb-free diet plan.

Defining Carb Free

Keeping your daily carb count consistently at zero is quite a challenge. A number of foods contain "trace," or minimal, amounts of carbs. Thus, any diet where daily carb intake is kept under 20 or 30 g could safely be considered a carb-free diet. By virtue of their incredibly low carb-counts, carb-free diets are universally ketogenic--they force the body to use fat as the primary fuel source.

Carb-Free Diets, Fruits and Vegetables

Due to their low-carb count, carb-free diets will almost universally restrict fruit consumption, along with most vegetables. A typical carb free diet will only permit consumption of fibrous, green vegetables such as broccoli, cucumber, lettuce and spinach. Consumption of these foods is critical to ensure regularity due to their fiber content.

Are Carb-Free Diets Safe?

As you will be naturally limiting your consumption of vitamin-containing foods, some might consider carb-free diets to be inherently unsafe. However, consider that many of the remaining hunter-gatherer tribes on Earth (e.g., Eskimos and Inuits) have been eating this way for centuries, and they are some of the most physically fit people on the planet. In living with the Inuit tribe for a year, Dr. Vilhjalmur Stefansson ate as they did while under constant medical supervision and was found to have a clean bill of health.

Typical Carb-Free Foods

While some carb-free diets encourage "open season" on any form of meat, consider long-term heart health before succumbing to the temptation of endless plates of bacon and other fatty meats. A typical carb-free diet should encourage consumption of some saturated fats, but not an excessive amount. Choose leaner cuts of meat (at least 90 percent lean), and buttress your diet with other heart-healthy fats, like the omega-3 fats found in wild salmon.

Considerations

When adhered to rigorously, a carb-free diet can certainly deliver the fat loss results you crave. However, do not choose a diet plan simply because it is fashionable at the time. Weigh the pros and cons in order to reach a reasoned decision, arriving at a diet that suits you and your lifestyle. Needless to say, carb-free diets are not for everyone. But if you have decided to adopt a carb-free lifestyle, following these tips can ensure your time on the diet is well-spent.