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Eating without Carbohydrates: This is How it Works

Low-carb nutrition – i.e. a diet with no or only a few carbohydrates – is no longer an insider tip. But which ingredients can be used to replace bread, pasta, and the like in everyday life? The siblings Alex and Anne from “Eating Without Carbohydrates” is also dealing with this question. In an interview, they tell us more about their favorite recipes, how their blog came about and why a low-carbohydrate diet doesn’t automatically mean giving up.

How did the idea for “food without carbohydrates” come about?

Alex: The whole idea was a mixture of a bet with my sister and my nutritional situation at the time. I created several Facebook fan pages with my sister. To put it simply, “Eating without carbohydrates” had several hundred fans practically overnight…and without any posted content – ​​so it was clear to me that I urgently needed a website with recipes. Fortunately, I’m a media designer and was able to implement it directly in a night session.

Why do you eat low carb?

Alex: For me personally, low-carb is the perfect balance for my training days. Because on these days, carbohydrates are not only allowed to me but also an integral part of my diet. Understanding what happens in the body with the right amounts of nutrients is just plain fun. Anne is more vegan/vegetarian-oriented.

What can we expect from “eating without carbohydrates”?

Anne: We geared the recipes and the whole concept behind “food without carbohydrates” to the long-term goal of a healthy diet. This means that carbohydrates are of course also allowed here. The name is not to be taken literally. However, we do not limit the amount to a few grams per day (as with many other low-carb diets), but are a bit more generous. What we want to convey: is low-carb with “eating without carbohydrates” is not a diet, but a long-term and balanced form of nutrition.

So low-carb and indulgence don’t have to be a contradiction in terms?

Anne: No, absolutely not. Especially if you still have some leeway with the carbohydrates. The thought that enjoyment is neglected here is actually more than wrong.

What (positive/negative) memories do you have of your first attempts at cooking?

Alex: Especially in the area of ​​”low-carb baking” it took a while. A lot went wrong here at the beginning. The worst but also the funniest memory is an exploded mug cake from the microwave.

So I would recommend the baking area to advanced low-carb fans. Precisely because a lot of conventional foods (such as flour and sugar) have to be replaced here, this is not so easy. Just because another product (and there are many) has the suffix “-flour” does not mean that it can also be used 1:1 like normal flour. Otherwise, it would be very useful. It doesn’t matter whether it’s almond flour, coconut flour, or guar gum…each behaves differently in terms of water retention and quantity.

In most low-carb dishes with very common ingredients, however, the ingredients do not differ from other “normal” recipes. So there are no difficulties with the preparation here – provided you can cook a bit.

How did you learn to cook in the first place or was it in your genes?

Anne: We actually always cooked together with the family when we were children. For us, it was just time together in the kitchen and then eating. So I would say that we learned cooking skills from grandma, grandpa, and our parents. Incidentally, these do not go beyond any normal limits. If you are interested in it and have fun with it, that’s actually all you need.

Do you have to be strict with yourself to eat like you?

Anne: No, and that’s exactly what our concept is: It’s by far not “as strict” as comparable diets or programs. Of course, discipline is also part of it on many days and you have to clench your teeth from time to time, but after these situations, you feel all the better. And if you don’t make it, that’s part of it as well. Unfortunately, the quality of life should not be included.

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health

No Low Carb: That’s Why You Shouldn’t do Without Carbohydrates

The low-carb diet is neither healthy nor effective: numerous researchers have proven this in a large-scale study. But cutting out carbohydrates can actually have harmful side effects.

Low-carb has no benefits, my science experts say

“Weight loss in people eating a low-carb diet is not very different from weight loss in people eating a balanced carbohydrate diet,” writes study lead author Celeste Naude of Stellenbosch University in Cape Town.

The researchers also monitored the diets for their effects on changes in heart disease risk and increases in LDL cholesterol (so-called “unhealthy” cholesterol) over a two-year period. The result: There were few if any differences between the diets. “Both in patients with and without type 2 diabetes,” explained Naude.

The German Diabetes Society (DDG) also explained in advance of the publication that low-carb is neither the best nor the healthiest form of a diet. The DDG stated: “Since December 2021, the motto for diabetics is that weight loss strategies should be based on individual preferences

Even as a preventive measure, “low carb” is not an option

The result of the review was already foreseeable in advance. Several previous studies from previous years produced comparable results. The result was almost unanimous: “There is no difference between losing weight with low-carb or high-carb.” obese subjects after 12 months comparable to that of a low-fat diet.”

With regard to obesity and diabetes prevention, the low-carb diet does not seem to be really suitable. The research group of the American cardiovascular society National Lipid Association (NLA) wrote in a journal in 2018: “Based on the verified evidence, low and very low carbohydrate diets are not superior to other dietary approaches for weight loss.”

The statement accompanying this opinion stated that there would be little data on long-term efficacy and safety. American researchers have a similar opinion. “Physicians are encouraged to consider the findings discussed in this scientific opinion when advising patients on low-carb diets.”

“The side effects of the low-carb diet are only now becoming public,” said the former DGE President

Professor Stefan Lorkowski, Head of Nutritional Biochemistry at the University of Jena, wrote in the medical journal “It is attractive, but naive to believe that simply changing the ratio of carbohydrates and fats is sufficient. Rather, it depends on their nutritional quality and, above all, their energy balance.”

Professor Alfred Wirth agrees. The former president of the German Obesity Society explained: “Almost all studies show that a low-carb diet is not superior and that the energy deficit is particularly important when it comes to weight loss.” Both researchers criticize the increase in LDL cholesterol in particular in low-carb diets as critical to health.

The former President of the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) Helmut Hesekers already criticized in 2019: “The long-standing demonization of carbohydrates is suddenly exposed by trendsetters as a big mistake. Atkins, South Beach, Hollywood Star, Mayo, Logi and Paleo diets – evolution or Harvard – are not only exposed as ineffective, worse: Instead, long-overlooked or denied side effects such as bad breath, muscle cramps , nausea and headaches came to the fore.”

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Cooking Tips

Cooking Without Carbohydrates: You Should Have These Ingredients at Home

Cooking without carbohydrates isn’t difficult at all: You can find tips about eating according to the low-carb principle and the most important ingredients that you should always have at hand here.

Cooking without carbohydrates: What should not be missing

With a low-carb diet, the carbohydrate content in your meals is reduced. The focus is on protein, vitamins and healthy fats. You should always have the following things at home and ready to hand if you want to reduce your carbohydrate diet:

low-carb fruits (e.g. berries, grapefruit, apricots)
vegetables
Quark
oil
eggs
nuts
butter
Cheese
herbs and spices
yogurt
dark chocolate
Sugar substitutes: xylitol, erythritol, stevia or sweetener
Protein bread
In principle, fish is suitable for a low-carbohydrate diet. The problem with fish, however, is that many species are severely overfished. So you should find out beforehand which varieties you can eat with a clear conscience.
Always remember that you should not completely eliminate carbohydrates from your diet. Examples of healthy carbohydrate sources include potatoes, oatmeal, quinoa and legumes. Better watch out for hidden carbohydrates: These are mainly found in sweet drinks. Therefore, you should primarily drink water and unsweetened tea and largely avoid lemonade, juices and iced tea.

Cooking without carbohydrates – how does it work?

When you’re just beginning to cut carbs from your diet, you might find it difficult to find dishes that fit. For example, a “low carb day” could look like this:

breakfast
You should avoid wheat rolls and croissants in the morning. Instead, you can, for example, prepare individual, delicious “Breakfast Bowls”. As the name suggests, these are bowls filled with fruit, yoghurt, nuts and seeds. You can try countless combinations and let your creativity run free.

Variant 1: Greek yoghurt, strawberries and walnuts.
Variant 2: Quark, bananas, walnuts and a little cocoa powder.
Variant 3: Natural yoghurt, berry mix and homemade muesli.

Having lunch
At lunchtime, it is best to combine lots of vegetables with a protein source (e.g. eggs or fish). Fast dishes are, for example, spinach with egg, vegetable pans, mixed salads or hearty vegetable pancakes.

dinner
Depending on whether you prefer to eat warm or cold in the evening, you should also combine vegetables, protein and healthy fats here. For example, eat tomato-mozzarella, hearty muffins or try a cauliflower pizza. Vegetable casseroles and gratins are also suitable for dinner.

Snacks for in between?
It is currently controversial whether only three meals are better than five, because the lowering of the blood sugar level during long breaks in eating is seen as positive. However, this does not play a decisive role in a low-carbohydrate diet.

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Food

Short- and Long-Chain Carbohydrates: Occurrence and Utilization in The Body

Carbohydrates are important suppliers of energy. We’ll show you the difference between short and long chain carbohydrates and explain how they affect your body.

Carbohydrates (saccharides) are chemical compounds made of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. In addition to proteins and fats, they are one of the three macronutrients and are the most important energy suppliers in human nutrition. They also help to store energy in the body and supply it with important building materials. Basically, carbohydrates are divided into two categories: short-chain and long-chain carbohydrates.

Short and Long Chain Carbohydrates: What’s the Difference?

1. Short-chain carbohydrates:
Single and double sugars are combined into short-term carbohydrates:
Simple sugars consist of only one single molecule. These are, for example, glucose (dextrose) and fructose (fruit sugar). You can find these in fruits, for example.
Disaccharides are formed from two linked molecules. These include, for example, lactose (milk sugar) or maltose (malt sugar).
They are characterized by their sweet taste.
The following foods are mainly short-chain carbohydrates:
fruit (especially fructose)
Dairy products (lactose)
Household, cane, beet sugar
lots of baked goods and cereals
Sweets
2. Long Chain Carbohydrates:
This group consists of the multiple sugars: They include all carbohydrates that consist of more than ten individual molecules.

The most important polysaccharide for our body is starch. It does not taste sweet compared to the short-term carbohydrates.
Dietary fibers also belong to this group. These are indigestible food components that are mainly found in plant-based foods and whole grain products. Dietary fiber is particularly important for your digestion and keeps you full in the long term.
Long-chain carbohydrates are particularly found in these foods:
oatmeal
whole grain products
potatoes
nuts
legumes
vegetables

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Food

Are Bananas Healthy? Vitamins, Carbohydrates and Other Nutritional Values

Bananas are considered healthy and are therefore suitable as a snack in between. But how many vitamins are actually contained in the banana? Everything about carbohydrates, calories and other nutritional values ​​​​of bananas can be found on this page.

Athletes like to grab a banana before training – after all, it’s so healthy. But what healthy qualities are actually found in it?

It is striking that the banana contains significantly more carbohydrates and fructose than other fruits. Nevertheless, it is not fattening – on the contrary: fructose is a quick source of energy and therefore popular with athletes. The body quickly burns the carbohydrates again during exercise.

The banana is also suitable as a snack without doing sport afterwards: bananas are very filling and are therefore even recommended for losing weight.

Healthy bananas: nutritional values ​​at a glance

Bananas are real fillers. The exact amount of each nutrient depends very much on how ripe the banana is. For example, particularly ripe bananas contain more sugar than green bananas and are also easier to digest. However, the amount of carbohydrates does not change.

Nutritional table for bananas per 100 grams:
Energy: 96 kcal / 402.0 kJ
Fat: 0.2g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
of which sugar: 17.2 g
Protein 1.1g
Dietary fiber: 2 g

Vitamins in Bananas

Like most fruits, the banana is also rich in vitamins. The amount of vitamin B6 is particularly high. A banana covers about a third of the daily requirement. However, vitamin B6 is not rare, but is found in numerous foods.

Vitamins per 100 grams of banana:
Vitamin A: 10 mcg
Vitamin B1: 40 mcg
Vitamin B2: 60 mcg
Vitamin B6: 0.36 mg
Vitamin C: 12 mg
Vitamin E: 0.27 mg
Vitamin K: 10 mcg
Bananas are also high in manganese, copper, potassium and magnesium. Just one banana covers more than 10 percent of the daily requirement of these four substances.

Bananas for cancer?

According to various studies, bananas and banana peels can reduce the risk of cancer:
A study from 2015, for example, suggests that bananas can reduce the risk of cancer. It showed that the fruit has antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. According to the scientists, bananas can also strengthen the immune system.
In a 2013 study, Japanese researchers pointed out that ripe bananas contain many antioxidants. Among other things, they work against free radicals in the body and strengthen the immune system up to eight times more than green bananas.
Bananas are also said to be able to prevent the risk of arteriosclerosis and stomach ulcers

A Matter of Color: Are Green Bananas Healthy?

During the ripening process, the banana converts starch into sugar. So a green banana contains a lot of starch and little sugar, while a yellow banana is exactly the opposite. With yellow bananas, the body no longer has to convert the starch into sugar itself. Instead, the energy from the sugar is immediately available and the blood sugar level rises immediately after eating the yellow banana.

It’s different with the green banana: Here the body has to convert a lot of starch into sugar itself. Therefore, the blood sugar level does not rise immediately and you are full longer. However, green bananas also contain a lot of cellulose. The intestines cannot digest these very well, which can result in abdominal pain.

Conclusion: Green bananas are the better choice for diabetics, everyone else is better off reaching for ripe yellow bananas.

Tip: If the bananas are very ripe and already have brown spots, you should definitely not throw them away. They are great for banana milk, banana smoothie and banana bread.

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Food

Cucumbers are so Healthy: Calories, Carbohydrates and Other Nutritional Values

Cucumbers are considered healthy and draining slimmers that provide you with vitamins and minerals. Here you can find out more about nutrients, tips and myths about the low-calorie food.

Cucumbers: healthy and low in calories

With only about twelve kilocalories per 100 grams, cucumbers are one of the lowest-calorie foods. This is due to their high water content: a cucumber consists of around 95 percent water. In addition, cucumbers contain about three to four grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams and only minimal amounts of fat and protein.

However, the high water content also ensures that cucumbers only provide you with very small amounts of micronutrients. In particular, they contain vitamin C, some B vitamins and minerals such as potassium, zinc, calcium and magnesium. However, you would have to eat at least a kilo of cucumbers, so these amounts have a significant impact on the recommended daily dose.

Cucumbers: How to Use Them

Since cucumbers can only be eaten raw, they are a popular ingredient in salads. In Italian cuisine, they are also an essential ingredient for a fresh gazpacho. However, you can also use cucumbers in smoothies. The combination with fresh and sweet fruit such as pears, kiwis, apples or melons and some ginger or mint creates a refreshing and healthy drink.

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Food

Are Potatoes Healthy? Carbohydrates, Calories and Other Nutritional Values

Here you can find out how healthy the potato is and how you can use it in the kitchen.

Potatoes: calories, carbohydrates and other nutritional values

Because potatoes are relatively high in carbohydrates for a vegetable (about 15 grams per 100 grams), they are often mistakenly labeled as unhealthy fattening foods. Compared to other carbohydrate sources such as rice or pasta, they have significantly fewer calories: 100 grams of boiled potatoes contain around 70 kilocalories, while 100 grams of boiled pasta contain twice as many calories.

The relatively low calorie content of the potato is due to the fact that it is about 78 percent water. In addition, it contains almost no fat. 100 grams of potatoes provide you with two grams of protein and two grams of fiber.

Potatoes also contain many important micronutrients, such as significant amounts of various B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

When are potatoes healthy? You should note that

When raw, the starch contained in potatoes is very difficult for humans to digest. In addition, raw potatoes contain toxins that have a negative effect on your health. Therefore, they should only be enjoyed when cooked.

If you buy potatoes, you should use organically grown potatoes. These contain no pesticides, which harm you and the environment. Since pesticides are particularly found in and on the skins of potatoes, you should not eat conventional products unpeeled. With organic potatoes, you don’t have to worry: the skins of the potatoes even provide you with an extra portion of fiber.

When it comes to potatoes, you can also easily pay attention to regional goods. The tubers are harvested between June and October, but since they can be stored well, they are available from German cultivation all year round.

This is how you use the healthy potato in the kitchen

Potatoes are part of many traditional dishes and are often used as a filling side dish. You can prepare the tuber in different ways:
Fry potatoes in oil, onions, herbs and spices in the pan to get tasty fried potatoes.
Boiled in salted water, potatoes with some herbal quark and cucumber salad make a delicious and nutritious meal. Boiled potatoes are also the basis for a classic potato salad.
If you mash or mash the tuber after cooking, you will get mashed potatoes or mashed potatoes, depending on the consistency, which you can refine with spices, herbs and (vegan) butter.
Cut potatoes into sticks, mix them with some oil and spices and put them in the oven for healthy fries that don’t require a lot of fat and flavor enhancers. You can also cook potatoes in the oven in other delicious ways.
You can make your own gnocchi from floury potatoes, and a Bavarian potato salad with cucumber from waxy potatoes.
Potatoes are therefore not only a versatile and regional food: They are also very filling and provide you with a considerable portion of vitamins, fiber and minerals. You can also make the tuber tasty in different ways for children.

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Food

Low-Carb Noodles: These Noodles Without Carbohydrates are Available

Low-carb pasta is now available in many different forms. Noodles without carbohydrates taste delicious and are a good alternative to conventional wheat noodles.

Low-carb noodles for low-carb diets

With a low-carb diet, you replace carbohydrates with fats and proteins, which also fill you up and provide energy. Conventional pasta mainly contains carbohydrates and is unsuitable for a low-carb diet. There is a large selection of low-carb pasta so that you don’t have to do without pasta despite the lack of carbohydrates.

Low-Carb Noodles: Konjac Noodles

Konjac root extracts have been used medicinally and as food in Southeast Asia for over 3,000 years. The main component of the tuber is the fiber-containing glucomannan. Dried and ground, you can use it as a thickening agent or as a gelling agent and prepare desserts with it. Konjac is also processed into low-carb noodles.

The Konjac noodles, which are visually reminiscent of glass noodles, contain almost ten kilocalories per 100 grams and only around two grams of usable carbohydrates.
Since the pasta substitute is not made from grain, konjac noodles are also gluten-free.
In addition to glucomannan, konjac noodles contain large amounts of water and the natural stabilizer calcium hydroxide.
The low-carb noodles are also known as Shirataki noodles and are versatile. You can find them in the Asian market and in more and more supermarkets and organic markets.

Low carb red lentil pasta

Low-carb noodles made from red lentils contain more carbohydrates than konjac noodles. With around 56 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams, however, they are lower in carbohydrates than conventional wheat noodles. Low-carb red lentil pasta is also healthier for other reasons:
Unlike wheat pasta, lentil pasta is made up of complex carbohydrates. These have a lower glycemic index, meaning they cause blood sugar levels to rise more slowly after eating than wheat noodles. As a result, the low-carb pasta keeps you full for longer.
Lentils are legumes and therefore gluten-free.
Low-carb pasta made from lentils has a high protein content, which also keeps you feeling full for longer. They are a good plant-based source of protein, especially for vegans.

Low carb chickpea pasta

At around 37 grams per 100 grams, low-carb noodles made from chickpeas have significantly fewer carbohydrates than wheat noodles. Your glycemic index is also lower.

Chickpea noodles, like lentil noodles, contain a high proportion of fiber and unsaturated fatty acids.
They are also very high in protein.
In addition, the low-carb pasta contains many vitamins and minerals, especially magnesium, iron and zinc. Wheat noodles have a much lower nutrient content.

Soy Noodles: Asian low-carb noodles

Low-carb soy noodles also contain very few carbohydrates at 13 grams per 100 grams.

Pure soy noodles have a high protein content and keep you full for a long time.
When it comes to low-carb soy pasta, you should make sure that you buy the pure soy version. Many soy noodles on the market are mixed with wheat flour or egg and are then no longer gluten-free and low-carb or no longer vegan.
Just like regular pasta, you can buy soy noodles in different shapes. They are available as classic spaghetti, tagliatelle, fusilli or spirelli. They taste slightly nutty and go particularly well with Asian recipes.

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Food

Good Carbohydrates and Which Ones to Avoid: an Overview

“Good carbs” are said to be healthier than other types of carbs. We have summarized which foods contain which carbohydrates and what you should consider.

Good carbohydrates: That’s what makes them special

Carbohydrates are found in almost all foods. These are nutrients that your body uses for energy. To do this, digestive enzymes have to break down carbohydrates into sugars.

“Good carbs” is a slang term for a specific type of carbohydrate – the complex sugars. In food, you mainly encounter them as starch or cellulose, the building material of plant fibers.

Good carbohydrates: These foods contain them

These foods contain healthy carbohydrates:
Legumes such as peas, chickpeas, beans, lentils or peanuts
Grains such as whole wheat products, brown rice, oats, spelt, buckwheat, millet, quinoa and amaranth.
All types of vegetables (Potatoes and sweet potatoes are particularly rich in healthy starch.)
Nuts such as walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds
Seeds such as pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds

Lose weight with good carbohydrates?

Studies indicate that carbohydrates can help you lose weight. They make test subjects less irritable and they can stick to diets longer.

Long-chain carbohydrates are mostly found in vegetables. They help you to eat a wholesome and balanced diet.
Many nutrients – little fat: Vegetables, as well as whole grain products or legumes, usually also contain vitamins, minerals and secondary plant substances. On the other hand, their fat content is lower.
Roughage: Roughage from cellulose promotes digestion.

Good carbs: what are the bad ones then?

Your body does not have to convert “bad” carbohydrates into sugar first. They can enter the blood immediately as sugar and are available as energy a short time after the meal. The blood sugar level rises quickly from such carbohydrates, but it also quickly ebbs away again. That’s why the unhealthy carbohydrates don’t fill you up and you’ll quickly feel hungry again.

These sugar compounds consist of short molecular chains with a single bond (mono) or a double bond (di). These sugars are also called mono- or disaccharides by their chemical names. These include, for example:
Beet sugar, which is usually what household sugar is made of
Fructose, the fruit sugar in fruit
Glucose, for example, in dextrose
Lactose, the milk sugar
Maltose, the malt sugar
These “bad” carbs are often hidden in foods where you wouldn’t expect any sugar, such as convenience foods like ketchup, fruit yogurt, or soft drinks.

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