Staying Motivated With Low Carb Eating

Starting a low-carb way of eating can feel exciting at first.

You've got new recipes to try, you're looking at different ingredients and you're ready to give it a go.

Then a few weeks later, you're standing in front of the fridge thinking, "What am I supposed to make with this?"

That's completely normal.

The trick isn't trying to stay motivated every single day. It's making low-carb eating simple enough that you don't need a huge amount of motivation in the first place.

Don't Aim for Perfect

One of the easiest ways to make eating well feel difficult is expecting yourself to get everything right.

Real life doesn't work that way.

There will be busy days, meals out, birthdays, holidays and evenings when cooking feels like far too much effort.

One meal doesn't have to derail everything.

If something doesn't go according to plan, simply get back to your usual routine at the next meal.

No guilt trip required.

Keep Easy Meals on Hand

Motivation tends to disappear when you're hungry and there is nothing easy to cook.

Keep a few simple ingredients available so you always have something you can throw together.

Some useful basics include:

• Eggs
• Chicken
• Mince
• Tinned tuna or salmon
• Cheese
• Greek yoghurt
• Frozen vegetables
• Fresh salad vegetables
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Nuts and seeds

You don't need a fridge full of expensive specialty products.

Simple ingredients can make some of the best meals.

Have a Few Favourite Meals

You don't need hundreds of recipes.

Start with five or six meals you genuinely enjoy.

For example:

• Roast chicken with vegetables
• Omelette with cheese and mushrooms
• Salmon with broccoli
• Beef and vegetable stir-fry
• Cauliflower cheese with roast meat
• Chicken salad with avocado

Once you have a handful of reliable meals, deciding what to eat becomes much easier.

Make Your Shopping List Boring

This might sound strange, but a predictable shopping list can be your friend.

Buy the ingredients you know you'll actually use.

Then add one or two new ingredients or recipes when you feel like experimenting.

You don't need to reinvent your entire kitchen every week.

When You Get Bored, Change the Flavour

Sometimes you're not bored with the food.

You're just bored with eating it the same way.

Chicken can become:

• Lemon and herb chicken
• Garlic chicken
• Chicken salad
• Chicken stir-fry
• Spicy chicken wraps
• Roast chicken

The same basic ingredient can become a completely different meal with a few herbs, spices or sauces.

Don't Wait Until You're Starving

If you leave yourself hungry for hours, the easiest option can suddenly look like the best option.

Having something simple ready to eat can make life much easier.

A boiled egg, some cheese, Greek yoghurt or leftover chicken can take the edge off while you work out what you're having for your next meal.

Make Cooking Easier

There is nothing wrong with shortcuts.

Buy pre-washed salad leaves.

Use frozen vegetables.

Cook extra chicken for tomorrow.

Keep boiled eggs in the fridge.

Use leftovers instead of starting from scratch every night.

The goal isn't to win a cooking competition.

The goal is to make dinner.

Give Yourself Something to Look Forward To

Food should still be enjoyable.

Try a new recipe occasionally, find a low-carb dessert you like or plan a meal that you really look forward to.

Eating well doesn't mean every meal has to be chicken and broccoli.

There are plenty of ways to make low-carb meals interesting.

Stuck for Ideas?

This is where our
Easy Low Carb Recipe Generator can come in handy.

If you're staring at the fridge and inspiration has completely disappeared, give it a few ingredients and see what happens.

Try asking:

"What can I make with chicken, cheese and broccoli?"

Or:

"Give me three easy low carb dinners for this week."

You can even ask for something specific, such as:

"Give me a quick low carb comfort food recipe."

Try the Easy Low Carb Recipe Generator and see what you can create.

Motivation Comes and Goes

You don't have to feel motivated every day.

Some days you'll enjoy cooking.

Other days you'll happily eat leftovers straight from the fridge.

That's life.

The easier you make your meals, shopping and routine, the less you have to rely on motivation.

Find a few foods you love, keep some simple ingredients available and give yourself room to be human.

Because sometimes staying on track isn't about having more willpower.

It's simply about making the next meal an easy one.