Low Carb Diet
Have a low-carb diet chart on hand when educating or recommending alternative food and eating habits that may benefit a patient's overall health.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What Is a Low-Carb Diet Chart?
A low-carb diet is a dietary approach that restricts the consumption of carbohydrates, primarily found in sugary foods, pasta, and bread, while emphasizing increased protein intake, fats, and healthy vegetables.
With regards to a low-carb diet chart, which is a valuable tool that can assist healthcare practitioners and patients, do note that the content heavily relies on who creates the chart and where the healthcare practitioner obtains the template.
On the one hand, one can expect more information on several popular low-carb eating patterns and their corresponding set of guidelines. Here’s a sample of what those may look like:
- Ketogenic (keto) diet: This high-fat, low-carb diet limits daily carbohydrate intake to less than 10% of total calories, usually around 20–50 grams of carbs.
- Atkins diet: This diet, characterized by phases with varying carb allowances, is high in protein and low in carbs.
- South Beach diet: Combining reduced carb intake with an emphasis on lean meats and heart-healthy fats, the South Beach diet is a popular choice.
- Paleo diet: Inspired by the eating habits of hunter-gatherer ancestors, the Paleo diet promotes the consumption of meats, fruits, and vegetables while avoiding processed foods.
- Dukan diet: A restrictive, high-protein, low-fat diet that limits carbohydrate intake.
Should a template not contain a list of these low-carb diets, they may instead include low-carb food a patient may choose from and enjoy. It’s important to remember that the specific foods allowed on a low-carb diet can vary based on individual carb allotments. Typically, a low-carb diet comprises less than 26% of total daily calories from carbs, equating to fewer than 130 grams of carbs for a 2000-calorie diet.
Printable Low Carb Diet Chart PDF here
Check out our free Low Carb Diet Chart here for a healthier lifestyle
How Does It Work?
Step 1. Obtaining a Template
Acquire a digital and printable template for a low-carb diet chart by following either one of the subsequent procedures:
- Choose either the "Download Template" or "Use Template" button.
- Visit Carepatron's template library on their website or app and locate the "Low-Carb Diet Chart."
Step 2. Reviewing Content
This chart is a valuable tool for understanding optimal food choices and items to restrict, fostering a well-rounded and nutritious diet despite ingesting lower carbs.
Step 3. Formulating the Meal Plan
For individuals who have diabetes, other specific chronic illnesses, or specific body goals, you may utilize the information on the chart to assist them in creating a daily meal plan. This step facilitates collaborative brainstorming and documentation of meals aligning with the patient's specific dietary needs.
Step 4. Ensuring Template Security
Ensuring the security of the template and restricting access to authorized individuals is crucial post-consultation. We highly recommend the utilization of Carepatron, a HIPAA-compliant software providing secure and user-friendly storage solutions for electronic patient records.
Low Carb Diet Chart Example (sample)
If you are seeking guidance on effectively utilizing the low-carb diet chart template, we have created a PDF document that includes a fully filled template for your convenience. This document is accessible in both digital and printable formats, tailored to meet your specific needs.
It is crucial to highlight that all information presented in this sample template is entirely fictional and is provided strictly for illustrative purposes. Additionally, please be aware that our provided sample template represents just one approach to utilizing the blank template. We encourage you to explore alternative methods of application that align with your professional requirements.
To access this valuable resource, review the sample template below or opt for the "Download Example PDF" button. This will provide you with a comprehensive and illustrative version of the template, serving as a practical reference for your purposes.
Download our free Low Carb Diet Chart PDF
When Would You Use This Chart?
A low-carb diet chart is beneficial in various contexts, primarily regarding health and wellness objectives.
Weight Loss
One prominent application is in the pursuit of weight loss. Research indicates that adopting low-carb diets can be an effective strategy for shedding excess pounds, concurrently improving key health indicators such as blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and triglycerides.
Managing Diabetes
Individuals grappling with diabetes find utility in low-carb diets for managing their condition. These diets contribute to reducing blood sugar levels and offer improvements in other health markers, fostering better diabetes management. Moreover, for individuals aiming to address heart health concerns, a low-carb diet can serve as a tool to mitigate certain risk factors associated with heart disease.
Additional Treatment for Epilepsy or Seizures
In the realm of medical applications, the ketogenic diet, characterized by very low carb intake, finds relevance in treating neurological diseases such as epilepsy. This underscores the versatility of low-carb diets in addressing diverse health challenges.
Enhance Performance
Beyond health management, athletes and bodybuilders strategically incorporate low-carb diets into their nutrition plans to enhance performance during specific periods.
However, it is crucial to underscore that scheduling medical visits and consulting with a healthcare provider is paramount before embarking on any new diet plan. This ensures that the chosen low-carb diet aligns with individual health needs and goals, with healthcare professionals providing tailored guidance on its safe and effective implementation.
Research & Evidence
Numerous research studies endorse the advantages of a low-carb diet, with the help of a chart, and shed light on their positive impacts across various health parameters. Here are the findings you may find interesting.
According to a study published by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a moderately low-carbohydrate diet has cardiovascular benefits. The study emphasizes that choosing protein and fat sources is pivotal for heart health. Additionally, the study reveals that women who adhere to low-car diets that are rich in vegetable fats or proteins exhibit a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
To add to these findings, within the study, based on the Optimal Macronutrient Intake Trial Heart Health (OmniHeart), a diet replacing some carbohydrates with protein or fat effectively lowers blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. This is supported by another trial mentioned in the study, the EcoAtkins weight-loss trial, which shows comparable weight loss and highlights improvements in blood lipids and blood pressure with a low-carbohydrate approach.
Do note, however, that while these studies underscore the merits of low-carb diets, individual responses can vary. It’s essential that before embarking on diets, healthcare practitioners consider factors such as health status, lifestyle, and personal preferences to tailor the approach and align them with the individuals’s needs and goals.
References
Low-Carbohydrate diets. (2016, April 12). The Nutrition Source. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/low-carbohydrate-diets/
Commonly asked questions
Several types of healthcare professionals, such as general physicians, dieticians, cardiologists, nutritionists, nurse practitioners, and sports physiologists, might use a low-carb diet chart.
Low-carb diet charts are used primarily when the referring physician educates the patient on the different types of low-carb diets and food.
In the end, utilizing an anti-inflammatory diet chart significantly relies on the healthcare practitioner and the individual patient. Nevertheless, the template can serve various purposes, including as an educational tool, a point of reference, and a document for creating a personalized meal plan.
