Which Carbs to Count

• Of course, you need not count all carbs against your daily total, which can be a relief for many low-carb dieters. Canadian strength coach Christian Thibaudeau calls fibrous green veggies "free" carbs. Even while on a no-carb or low-carb diet, you can consume as many of these foods as you want. Filling your belly with fibrous greens like broccoli, lettuce and cucumber during every meal can help keep food cravings away while keeping your body full of the nutrients it needs to survive.
  
  

How Low Should You Go?

• Depending on the low-carb plan you have chosen to follow, your daily carb limit can vary widely (from zero carbs to more than 100). Some plans, like John Berardi's "7 Rules Diet" are only carb-restricted in that you can have as many carbs as you like, so long as they are from fruits and veggies. Generally speaking, your daily carb limit should be commensurate with your current body fat level. The more body fat you are carrying, the fewer daily carbs you should ingest. This is the approach advocated by Christian Thibaudeau, who suggests that individuals with more than 20 percent body fat should have no more than 30g of carbs a day, while individuals below 10 percent can have roughly 0.55g per pound of body weight per day.
  
  

Use Creatine to Keep Muscles Looking Full

• Exercising while on a low-carb plan can be difficult. Due to the depletion in glycogen stores, it is difficult to achieve a "pump" in the gym, and the lack of intramuscular pressure (due to the body carrying less water weight without carbs) can adversely affect strength levels. Taking 5g of creatine up to five times daily can help with this, as creatine helps to add volume to the muscle cell, making it appear more "full." This can help keep you stronger and more motivated in the gym.