Beat the Carb Cravings

Anyone whos been on a low carb diet will tell you that the first week is the hardest. Some report actual physical symptoms of carb withdrawal, like irritability, headaches, and lack of energy. Others say its the emotional struggle to stay away from rice, bread, pasta, potatoes the staples that theyve grown used to serving with every meal.

These carb cravings can easily tempt you into giving up on your diet altogether. Dont. You have so much to gain (or in this case, lose): think 10 pounds in the first two weeks, as some diets claim, and a visible reduction of tummy handles. (Hey, youll be able to fit in a smaller size of jeans!) So how do you survive the battle against bread? Here are some tips:

Indulge in the right food

One of the advantages of low carb diets is that you dont starve yourself. You can eat very well, just stay away from certain types of food. How does help beat the carb cravings? If youre not ravenous, youre less likely to raid the fridge in a mad fit of hunger. You can also replace a high-carb snack (like a chocolate bar) with an equally tasty bag of peanuts, and not feel deprived.

Veteran low carb dieters actually advise...