Everybody wants to have a toned, well-maintained figure. But certain habits make this goal impossible to achieve. Eating healthy is advised as it provides energy and increases good cholesterol in your body for healthy functioning. A low carb diet is great if you want to lose belly fat and increase insulin efficiency in your body.

Research has proved that reducing carbohydrates from your diet balances blood sugar levels and insulin, which helps eliminate bad cholesterol from the body. Excess weight causes many health conditions, like heart problems, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Doctors often suggest a low carb diet to diabetics patients, as it helps them to lose more weight than those on a low-fat diet.

Foods that are low in carbohydrates include the following:

• Fish
• Meat like chicken and pork
• Eggs
• Fruits like apples, blueberries, and strawberries
• Milk
• Plain yogurt
• Green leafy vegetables
• Broccoli and cauliflower
• Oils such as coconut oil, sesame oil, and olive oil

1. Plan your meals
Eat three meals a day when following a low-carb diet. A proper diet plan should include meals that can help you lose weight; skipping meals is not an option. Buy foods that are low in carbs and plan your meals accordingly for better results.

2. Avoid unhealthy food
Avoid unhealthy junk food and wheat and rice as they are rich in carbohydrates and fat. Prepare meals that do not include the need for these foods. You can eat plenty of fresh fruits and nuts that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

3. Snacks with low carbohydrate
If you are working and often feel like snacking, eat foods like boiled eggs, cheese, plain yogurt, or fruits, like melons and apples. These are healthy and will keep you full for longer.

4. Not all carbs are the same
You need to note, not all carbohydrates are bad for health. However, where the carbohydrate is stored determines the risks. Fruits have fructose, which is a form of simple carb and has lesser carbohydrates. But carbohydrates that are present in white flour and sugar are processed. Processed or refined carbs take longer to digest than simple carbs.

5. Exercise to digest carb
Exercise induces the process of digestion and burns carbs stored in the body. As a result, fat and carbs burn quickly if you perform activities like running, swimming, and walking.

6. Substitute carbohydrate
Some foods that can be replaced when on a low-carb diet, especially for vegetarians.

• Mushroom
• Eggplant lasagne
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Lettuce
• Baked butternut instead of buns

6. Benefits of losing weight
Some health benefits that you can achieve by losing weight include:

• Reduces the risk of diabetes
• Decreases the risk of cancer
• Balances cholesterol levels
• Decreases blood sugar levels
• Reduce the risk of heart diseases

Low carbohydrate food helps to lose abdominal fat and reduces the risk of certain diseases. A low-carb diet also has some unhealthy side effects, like headaches, lack of energy, cramping, constipation, and athletic abilities.