Master grocery list for a low-carb diet

Do you have difficulty deciding what to put in your shopping if you’re on a low-carb diet? Here’s a list of foods I always make sure to have at home.

My doctor prescribed me a low-carb diet when I was diagnosed with insulin resistance in 2013. I lost weight and there were also a lot of health benefits. The first two weeks were a nightmare, but I created my own recipes and looked up new ones online The shopping list I use is broken into categories, which makes shopping more effective, I can avoid walking around the shops thinking about what I might have forgotten, what else I need to buy, which aisle I have to go back to, etc. This way, it’s also easier to make a shopping list. I have a template that I print and write the names of the necessary items to the relevant categories.

Fruit and vegetables
I like to buy seasonal produce. If you’re on a low-carb diet, you can eat almost every type of fruit and vegetable. Still, it’s important to remember that grapes, bananas and potatoes are high in carbs so consume them in moderate amounts or avoid them completely. I like potatoes and don’t want to give them up, so I combine them with celery if I make mashed potatoes or eat them with fresh salad.

Meat
If you’re on a low-carb diet, high protein intake is important. Lean meat is allowed in this diet, so feel free to eat chicken, beef and fish.

Dairy
Dairy is a great source of energy and protein, so it fits this diet. Cottage cheese, butter, cream, sour cream, cheese and yoghurt all get the green light. You can also drink vegan milk alternatives, such as coconut milk or almond milk.

Grains
If you like rice, white rice isn’t a good option, but you can use brown rice instead. Millet, buckwheat, quinoa and bulgur wheat are also great options. You can eat them as sides, but I like to use them to make warm salads for autumn and winter.

Baking
Make sure to avoid white flour if you’re on a low-carb diet. Durum wheat flour, rye flour, graham flour, whole-wheat flour, chickpea flour, millet flour, buckwheat flour and oatmeal are healthy and delicious options, though. What about sweeteners? Try to avoid artificial sweeteners and even honey. The best sweeteners to use are stevia, xylitol and erythritol.

Snacks
In my opinion, snacks are the most difficult to change in your diet, but fortunately, there are many healthy options to choose from. Dark chocolate, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and sugar-free biscuits are excellent choices.

Are you on a low-carb diet? Are you thinking about starting to live a healthier life? What do you find most difficult about a lifestyle change?