Struggling to lose weight despite trying multiple diets? You’re not alone. Many people hit a plateau with calorie-restricted diets. The culprit might be carbs.

The no-carb diet is making waves among those who track their food with apps like Biteme.

But is eliminating carbs really the fast track to weight loss or just another overhyped trend? We will talk about what a no-carb diet is, how it works, and whether it is a good choice for your health goals.

What Exactly Is a No-Carb Diet?

So, what's the deal with no-carb diets? It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like: You're cutting out carbohydrates completely.

Unlike more flexible low-carb diets, no-carb eliminates all carbs from meals. No bread, pasta, or rice. No fruit. Even most vegetables and legumes are off the table. Instead, your plate is basically proteins, fats, and whatever non-starchy veggies make the cut.

Here's where it gets tricky, though. Our bodies naturally prefer carbs as fuel. Ditching them forces your body to switch to burning fat for energy, a process called ketosis. As a result, your body has to scramble to find another energy source. After a few days of carb withdrawal, it switches to burning fat for energy instead.

A no-carb diet is basically keto's stricter, more intense cousin. While keto lets you have around 20-50 grams of carbs daily, no-carb aims for as close to zero as possible.

Why Do People Go No-Carb?

Some people swear this approach helps them drop weight fast and reduce cravings. When you cut carbs, your body sheds water weight like crazy during the first few days. The scale can even drop 5-10 pounds in the first week! A no-carb diet does work, at least in the short term.

Another thing is the hunger factor. Ever notice how you can eat a big bowl of pasta in one sitting and still be hungry an hour later? That's because fat and protein make you feel full. You tend to feel full longer when you eat mostly meat, eggs, cheese, and oils. As a result, you have fewer food cravings.

Beyond weight loss, some people claim it helps with mental clarity, reduced inflammation, and better blood sugar control. But maintaining a truly no-carb diet is incredibly difficult. Most people can't stick with it long-term because it’s not really sustainable.

What Can You Eat on a No-Carb Diet?

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There aren't as many options on the no-carb menu. But you're not exactly stuck eating plain chicken breast all day. Here are some healthy zero-carb foods to include in your diet.

• Proteins – Meat, fish, eggs, and poultry

• Healthy Fats – Olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds

• Non-Starchy Vegetables – Spinach, kale, zucchini, cucumbers, cauliflower, and mushrooms

• Dairy (If tolerated) – Cheese, heavy cream, and Greek yogurt

• Other: Plain coffee and tea

What is not allowed? Basically, everything else – bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruit, beans, and even some dairy goods that contain lactose.

The No-Carb Struggle: What No One Tells You

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Going no-carb isn’t just about swapping out bread for steak. There’s an adjustment period, and it can be rough. Here’s what you might experience:

• Keto Flu and Rash

• Intense Cravings

• Mood Swings

• Nighttime Struggles

• Fatigue and Headaches

• Constipation

• Brain Fog

Is No-Carb Diet Worth It?

If you're thinking about ditching carbs completely, let me give it to you straight - it's tough.

The key is being realistic about what you're getting into. You need to track your food religiously at first because carbs hide everywhere. At the end of the day, sustainability trumps everything else. No diet works if you can't stick with it long-term.

Maybe full no-carb is too extreme, but reducing carbs might be doable.

If you're serious about trying this, a good tracking app like Biteme can be a game-changer. It helps you monitor your macros and flags hidden carbs in foods you might not suspect. Having that data at your fingertips makes it easier to stay on track without obsessing over every bite.