What kinds of meals did your mom or dad cook? Or maybe it was your grandma who made your most memorable meals. Either way, picture your plate. Was there a big slab of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and a roll? Fried chicken with a biscuit? You already know that over-consumption of unhealthy foods can lead to weight gain, but we’ve got some good news: Meats (Proteins), vegetables (non-starchy) and Healthy Fats are all approved for a low-carb dinner on the South Beach Diet. (Carbs are not part of the inner circle, as you likely know. On our plan, you’ll limit your net carb intake to 50 grams per day.)
So mom’s meatloaf made with love? In—with basic modifications. Roasted broccoli? In. Mashed potatoes? Out. Your mantra after you stop eating carbs and lose 10 lbs because of it? Two out of three ain’t bad.
Serving Sizes
Because our servings are likely different than what you’re accustomed to, let’s talk about what—and how much of it—you’ll have for a low-carb dinner. Ladies, just as with lunch, you’ll eat 1 Protein (like 3 oz. salmon) and 1 Healthy Fat (1 Tbsp. olive oil) for dinner. Men, your lunchtime servings also apply here: eat 2 Proteins (4 oz. low-sodium deli meat) and 1 Healthy Fat (½ cup olives).
Tasty Subs
No, not sandwiches. Let’s talk about carb substitutes. Mashed cauliflower, zucchini noodles and spaghetti squash can satisfy your craving for potatoes, pasta and rice and help you get your three non-starchy veggie servings (which contain the least amount of carbs) a day. Cheese is a Healthy Fat on the South Beach Diet plan, and you can also incorporate small amounts of butter and cream into your dishes to add flavor… think creamed spinach, artichoke dip or Brussels sprouts with bacon. Just be sure to pay attention to serving sizes and account for your whole meal as a whole, not just each dish.
DIY Time
After a few weeks, you’ll likely find a staple DIY, low-carb dinner dish like grilled chicken and oven-roasted broccoli down. Great! But, the body needs and relies on nutrients from a variety of foods for disease prevention, growth and overall good health. So how can you be sure you’re getting what you need? Eat a rainbow. In other words, don’t stick to the same two or three foods in each low-carb dinner.
Here are some of our favorite, delicious, low-carb dinner ideas:
Monday
Women: Tuna Salad-Stuffed Zucchini Boats: 3 oz. tuna (0 grams net carb) + 1 Tbsp. olive-oil based mayonnaise (0 grams net carb) + ½ cup or one boat cooked zucchini (3 grams net carb)
Men: Bacon & Tuna Salad-Stuffed Zucchini Boats: 3 oz. turkey bacon (0 grams net carb), 3 oz. tuna (0 grams net carb) + 1 Tbsp. olive-oil based mayonnaise (0 grams net carb) + ½ cup or one boat cooked zucchini (3 grams net carb)
Tuesday
Women: Sautéed Shrimp & Spaghetti Squash: 3 oz. shrimp (1 gram net carb), 1 Tbsp. olive oil (0 grams net carb), ½ cup spaghetti squash (3 grams net carb), capers, lemon juice, fresh parsley
Men: Sautéed Shrimp & Clams with Spaghetti Squash: 3 oz. shrimp (1 gram net carb), 3 oz. clams (4 grams net carbs), 1 Tbsp. olive oil (0 grams net carb), ½ cup spaghetti squash (3 grams net carb), capers, lemon juice, fresh parsley
Wednesday
Women: Beef & Broccoli: 3 oz. beef tenderloin (0 grams net carb), 1 Tbsp. sesame oil (Extra), ½ cup cooked broccoli (4 grams net carb), ½ cup cauliflower rice (3 grams net carb), ¼ cup peanuts (4 grams net carb)
Men: Beef & Broccoli: 6 oz. beef tenderloin (0 grams net carb), 1 Tbsp. sesame oil (Extra), ½ cup cooked broccoli (4 grams net carb), ½ cup cauliflower rice (3 grams net carb), ¼ cup peanuts (4 grams net carb)
Thursday
Women: Pork & Greens: 3 oz. pork chop, 1 Tbsp. canola oil (Extra), ½ cup turnip (or collard) greens (0-2 grams net carb), 1 Tbsp. hot sauce (0 grams net carb)
Men: Pork & Greens: 6 oz. pork chop, 1 Tbsp. canola oil (Extra), ½ cup turnip (or collard) greens (0-2 grams net carb), 1 Tbsp. hot sauce (0 grams net carb)
Friday
Women: Zucchini-Ribbon Carbonara: ½ cup cooked zucchini ribbons (3 grams net carb), 3 oz. Canadian bacon (0 grams net carb), 1 Tbsp. olive oil (0 grams net carb), fresh basil
Men: Zucchini-Ribbon Carbonara: ½ cup cooked zucchini ribbons (3 grams net carb), 6 oz. Canadian bacon (0 grams net carb), 1 Tbsp. olive oil (0 grams net carb), fresh basil
Saturday
Women: Lemon Chicken with Roasted Artichokes: 3 oz. chicken breast (1 grams net carb), 1 Tbsp. olive oil (0 grams net carb), 1 tsp. Dijon mustard (0 grams net carb), 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, ½ cup roasted artichoke hearts (3 grams net carbs)
Men: Lemon Chicken with Roasted Artichokes: 6 oz. chicken breast (1 gram net carb), 1 Tbsp. olive oil (0 grams net carb), 1 tsp. Dijon mustard (0 grams net carb), 1 tsp. lemon juice, ½ cup roasted artichoke hearts (3 grams net carbs)
Sunday
Women: Turkey & Avocado Lettuce Wraps: 3 oz. turkey breast (0 grams net carb), ½ avocado fruit (2 grams net carb), ½ cup lettuce leaves (1 gram net carb)
Men: Turkey & Avocado Lettuce Wraps: Turkey & Avocado Lettuce Wraps: 6 oz. turkey breast (0 grams net carb), ½ avocado fruit (2 grams net carb), ½ cup lettuce leaves (1 gram net carb)