Easy, Delicious VitaClay Low-Carb Recipes For Energy-Filled Weight-Loss Journey

So, you've decided to start your weight loss journey; you made a great choice!

As we know, too much carb consumption is one of the reasons why we gain extra pounds, and as we age, it’s more difficult to get rid of them especially if we don’t exercise much. When we consume more carbs than we burn for energy, our body stores them and they buildup as fat, and will eventually impose other health risks. Refined carbohydrates such as white bread, bagels, pasta, muffins, scones, cold breakfast cereal, chips, sweets, soda, and sweetened drinks are just some of the carbs we often have in our diet. These raise blood sugar that causes insulin to work to lower them down. The more we consume these foods, the more insulin activities are made. Insulin is a fat-storage hormone. With more insulin circulating in your bloodstream, your body converts the carbohydrates to fat and stores them -- on your buttocks, thighs, abdomen, and hips. We can’t blame ourselves for consuming carbs as we need them for energy. However, if our diet revolves around more on carbs than any other foods, there is a high chance of gaining extra weight and waistline.

Cut back from Carbs!
Calories from carbs are important to get you moving for the day. Thus, cutting back from carbs could mean you’re getting lesser calories for energy. Amazingly, foods have a wide variety that is rich in nutrients for our daily nutritional requirements and can also supply what may be lacking from other foods or could be a better alternative when we are limiting ourselves from the other food groups for some reason. This is also true in weight loss. When we limit ourselves from carbs, there surely are healthier foods that can replace them. Protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, and eggs and healthy fat foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines, olives, olive, flax, and coconut oil are just some of the foods that can sustain energy level in the body without the worry of carbs. Other low-carb foods are leafy green vegetables, cauliflower and broccoli, some fruits, such as apples, blueberries, and strawberries, and unsweetened dairy products including plain whole milk and plain Greek yogurt. Low-carb foods work by decreasing hunger, satiating the tummy, maintaining blood sugar and energy level making you feel lighter while being abundantly fueled up.

Here’s a list of low or zero carb foods to help you make a great low-carb diet plan:

Eggs and Meats
Eggs -almost zero carb
Beef -zero carb
Lamb -zero carb
Chicken -zero carb
Pork, including Bacon -usually, have zero carb
Jerky -usually, have zero carb
Other Low-carb Meats include Turkey, Veal, Venison and Bison

Seafood
Salmon -zero carb
Trout -zero carb
Sardines-zero carb
Shellfish -4–5% carb
Other Low-Carb Fish and Seafood are Shrimp, Haddock, Lobster, Herring,Tuna, Cod, Catfish and Halibut.

Vegetables
Broccoli -7% carb
Tomatoes -4% carb
Onions -9% carb
Brussels Sprouts -7% carb
Cauliflower -5% carb
Kale -10% carb
Eggplant -6% carb
Cucumber -4% carb
Bell Peppers -6% carb
Asparagus -2% carb
Green Beans -7% carb
Mushrooms -3% carb
Other Low-Carb Vegetables are Celery, Spinach, Zucchini, Swiss chard and Cabbage

Fruits
Avocado -8.5% carb
Olives -6% carb
Strawberries -8%carb
Grapefruit -11% carb
Apricots -11% carb
Other Low-Carb Fruits are Lemons, Kiwis, Oranges, Mulberries, and Raspberries

Nuts and Seeds
Almonds -22% carb
Walnuts -14% carb
Peanuts -16% carb
Chia Seeds -44% carb
Other Low-Carb Nuts and Seeds are Hazelnuts, Macadamia nuts, Cashews, Coconuts, Pistachios, Flaxseeds, Pumpkin seeds, and Sunflower seeds.

Dairy
Cheese -1.3% carb
Heavy Cream -3% carb
Full-Fat Yogurt -5% carb
Greek Yogurt -4% carb

Fats and Oils
Butter -zero carb
Extra Virgin Olive Oil -zero carb
Coconut Oil -zero carb
Other Low-Carb Friendly Fats are Avocado oil, Lard and Tallow

Beverages
Water -zero carb
Coffee -zero carb
Tea -zero carb
Club Soda / Carbonated Water -zero carb

Other Low-carb Foods
Dark Chocolate
Herbs, Spices, and Condiments

Losing weight is not an easy task, but with a positive outlook, determination, discipline, right guidelines, and proper diet, trimming down that extra pound is possible. So here are low- carb recipes with love; from VitaClay to you!

COOKED CAULIFLOWER IN BONE BROTH