A low-carb diet, whether it's Atkins, ketogenic or a Paleo plan, promises weight loss and vitality. Not everyone thrives on such a diet, however. Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of fuel -- too few can mean your energy levels plummet.
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Taco fillings such as ground beef, cheese, sour cream and shredded lettuce are low-carb dieting staples, but the shell raises the carb count of this tasty treat. You could always go sans shell to save carbohydrates, but then your taco is just a salad.
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Consuming quick-digesting carbohydrates following an intense strength-training workout helps your body build muscle faster and more effectively. These carbohydrates stimulate a quick and strong release of the hormone insulin, which acts as a super shuttle for nutrients your muscles need to grow and recover optimally.
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With well-planned meals, vegetarians who eat eggs and dairy, and vegans who stay away from all animal products, can enjoy a nutritionally balanced diet. Many vegetarians rely on grains, particularly wheat, for energy, B vitamins and protein.
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Sugar cravings can be the downfall of the most diligent dieter. A clean-eating day filled with lean proteins, vegetables and healthy fats can easily be negated by an evening spent bingeing on ice cream and brownies.
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Soccer players train hard both on and off the field for their 90 minutes of play. In addition to perfecting plays building stamina and honing ball-handling skills, professional players' training also involves attention to their nutrition.
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Saltine, or soda, crackers are traditionally made with a dough of white flour, yeast, shortening, baking soda and salt. These ingredients offer little in the way of vitamins and minerals. Saltines are mostly refined carbohydrates, which makes them good for soaking up soup, but not so good for a healthy diet.
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Kielbasa, or Polish sausage, has a satisfyingly garlicky flavor and a coarse texture. You'll find it made with ground pork, but some versions also contain ground beef or turkey, and seasoned with garlic, smoke flavoring and marjoram.
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While mashed potatoes are not complicated to make, the process may be time-consuming. Instant mashed potato flakes, made from dehydrated, cooked potatoes, speed up the process. You can reconstitute them with water or milk, or use them as an ingredient in breads, gnocchi or gravies.
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Self-rising flour is a Southern favorite for fluffy, flaky biscuits -- but not for yeast breads. The flour has baking soda and salt added, which could throw off the ratios of ingredients in your bread recipe. Self-rising flour also has other qualities that make it ill-suited for yeast bread.
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Start your day with a bowl of steel-cut oats and set yourself up for dietary success. A 2013 issue of the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"
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Tomatoes have a place in hundreds of culinary applications including spaghetti sauce, pizzas and as sandwich toppings. Tomatoes contain naturally occurring sugars, as do all fruits.
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Almost every "healthy" recipe calls for a cooking spray to coat the pan, but the aerosol method of application may make you suspicious. Cooking sprays are considered completely safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and rumors that they contain carcinogens are unfounded.
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Carrots, along with other orange and red vegetables are a source of vitamin A. Vitamin A is actually a group of compounds that support a number of important body functions, including immunity, eye sight and reproduction. One cup of carrots provides ample amounts of vitamin A, far exceeding the daily value.
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How many calories you consume at each meal depends on your eating habits and calorie needs for the day. Certain diet plans advocate eating multiple mini meals with a low number of calories to keep your metabolism burning, while others have you eating small meals to be followed up with one very large meal.
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The DASH diet, dietary approaches to stop hypertension, is a way of eating that helps you control your sodium intake and manage your blood pressure. The diet features familiar foods and emphasizes plain produce, modest portions of lean meats, low- or nonfat milk, nuts and legumes and whole grains.
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Clear soup is sometimes part of a hospital diet, or it is used to help squelch your appetite when dieting. Understanding what a clear soup actually is helps you properly adhere to a clear liquid diet and avoid complications. Clear soups are often a base for more complex soups, stews and sauces.
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A runner’s diet should have extra calories to support training as well as optimal nutrition to promote muscle recovery. Well-planned vegetarian diets can be just as healthy and effective for a runner as one that includes meat or other animal products.
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London broil usually comes from the top round, which is at the hind side of the animal. Some butchers call flank steak or cuts from other regions London broil, too, especially when these cuts are too small to constitute a true "roast." London broil actually refers to a cooking method, not just a cut.
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A high-carb diet causes your body to live in a state of constant high-blood sugar levels and spiked insulin loads. When you cut back on carbs, you lower blood sugar and insulin levels to reduce inflammation and improve your body's ability to burn fat.
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