1. When cooking a low-fat protein such as chicken, wrap it with bacon. The fat from the bacon adds flavor and much needed moisture, while keeping the dish low carb. 2. Tomatoes are fairly low in carbs, but they do contain some natural sugars. You can eat them but remember: only in moderation. 3. Many vegetables are an important part of a low carb diet but some are better for you than others. Keep in mind that red bell peppers contain more Vitamin C than green ones. Also, most vitamins and minerals are found in veggie skins, so skip a step and leave the peeler in the drawer. 4. Store-bought marinades contain a lot of sugar; even some dry spice mixtures do too. Make a large batch of your own so you can top your proteins and veggies with it anytime you want. 5. Soy black beans are an excellent alternative to regular black beans, since they taste very similar but have far less carbs. 6. Pre-made spaghetti and pizza sauces are discouraged due to their high sugar content, but tomato paste or sauce in a can without added sugar is allowed. Just remember to always read the labels! 7. Once the spaghetti squash starts to resemble strings, it is ready. Take out immediately and put in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. If not, you'll end up with squash squash, not spaghetti squash. 8. The spaghetti primavera has 8 net carbs per serving, but don't worry about the carbs. Spaghetti squash is full of fiber and everyone needs that! 9. Each cannoli serving is 7 net carbs, but you can always trim your carb count by dividing into six servings and then you'll have 5 net carbs per serving. 10. Fresh fruit is allowed on a low carb diet as long as you pick the right fruit. Honeydw, cantaloupe, strawberries, and blueberries are all great choices. 11. You can eat onions on a low carb diet. Avoid them the first few weeks, but in moderation, they're fine. 12. Use a mixture of parmesan cheese and eggs in place of breadcrumbs. They'll bind just as well as their carb-laden counterpart. 13. Soybeans are already toasted and have a tendency to burn when you deep-fry them. This is why we finish the chicken in the oven, rather than in the oil. 14. Cauliflower is low in carbs and absorbs the flavor of any ingredient you put with it. 15. Use a plastic baggie for the dessert if you don't own a pastry bag. Fill baggie with your mock ice cream, snip off a corner, and pour mixture into tall glasses. 16. Use whole or real mayonnaise. Low-fat or lite is usually an indication that sugar has added to make up for the loss of body and flavor from fat. 17. Most nuts are low carb, but overeating them is a problem. Avoid this by portioning them out. 18. Frozen blueberries can be used as a substitute for raisins. 19. You can set a good example for your kids by eating the right foods. It's also fun to cook with your kids. 20. Keep your fridge full of good low carb foods such as cheese and sliced meats. When anybody in the house is hungry or having a craving, they can just go and find some great low carb selections. 21. All hard alcohol has zero carbs (beside spiced rums or creamy liqueurs), and can add a lot of flavor to a dish. 22. Sugar substitute can be used for more than just your baked goods: Mix it with some liquid (water or alcohol) to create a "glaze" that has zero carbohydrates. 23. Parmesan is a great low carb substitute for breading. It browns nicely and adds great flavor to any dish, particularly veggies. 24. Yeast needs to be avoided on low carb diets. Try using eggs, heavy cream (preferably low carb) and baking soda as natural leaveners when baking. 25. Berries are a great, lower sugar fruit, but can sometimes be a bit tart. Add sugar substitute to berries, and then toss, just like you would with regular sugar, to enhance their natural sweetness. 26. Cauliflower is a great stand-in for potatoes and rice, adding texture while picking up the flavor of whatever it is cooked with. 27. Low carb is about freshness, but not everyone has time to prepare a fresh meal everyday. Stay healthy by preparing things in large quantities and saving the leftovers. Protein-packed chilis and meat roasts are easy to make and can last for days in the fridge. 28. Watch out for unsuspecting veggies. Onions are what George calls a "borderline vegetable" since it contains so many natural sugars. Limit yourself by using one onion for up to four different meals. 29. Olives are a great salty snack alternative for low carb diet programs. 30. Berries are an excellent choice for low carb dieters. They are lower in sugar than their fruit counterparts and are packed with anti-oxidants.
