HELPFUL HINTS

·   Ask your family and friends for support.

·   Find a low carb buddy to share the journey.

·   Keep a picture of the “old you” (before low carbing) on your refrigerator door.

·   Eliminate all products that contain sugar and refined carbs from your kitchen.

·   Donate your high carb foods to a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen.

·   Stock your pantry and refrigerator with your favorite protein goodies.

·   When grocery shopping, stick to the aisles on the perimeter of the store. The center aisles are where the junk foods and processed foods lurk. Never go grocery shopping when hungry.

·   Use a carbohydrate gram counter to count Net Carbs and pay attention to glycemic index.

·    When looking at food labels, be aware that “low fat” generally means “high carb”.

·   Even if you are not trying to lose weight, avoid the typical high carb breakfast foods such as muffins, toast, bagels and refined cereals.

·   If you lower your carb intake you will lower your insulin levels as well as your triglycerides.

·   Count carbs, not calories.

·   Have a small controlled carb snack including fat and protein if you are hungry between meals.

·   The best foods to neutralize cravings contain both protein and fat.

·   Don’t ever go more than 6 hours without a meal or a protein rich snack.

·   Remain in control of what goes into your mouth at all times.

·   Eat whole vegetables instead of drinking juices.

·   Overcooking veggies destroys nutrients.

·   Adding some fat and or protein to a salad minimizes the impact of the carbs on the blood sugar.

·   When you think fruit, think berries.

·   When eating in a restaurant, ask your server to replace the rice or potato with a serving of low carb veggies.

·   Traveling can bring on stress, which sometimes induces cravings. Be prepared by bring acceptable foods with you.

·   To enhance fat loss, increase your activity level.

·   Find an exercise buddy.

·   Rotate workout activities: to prevent boredom: keep your brain occupied with a book, music or your favorite TV show.