If you're looking to lose weight, manage your diabetes, give up sugars and sweets or change your lifestyle, eating low-carb foods may be a good option for you. Americans spend lots of money each year purchasing information on diets and foods specifically designed for those who wish to eat low-carb. If you're considering a low-carb diet, here is what you need to know.

Low-carb foods are eaten to stabilize blood sugar levels and to induce weight loss. Unlike high carbohydrate foods which cause blood levels to drastically rise and the body to release insulin, low-carb foods keep blood sugar levels at a fairly constant rate, which in turn keeps insulin levels from rising, which results in weight loss (See Resources).

Low-carb foods can be processed or natural. Atkins Products, for example, has created a whole line of low-carb foods and snacks like shakes and bars. Natural sources of low-carb foods are meat, poultry and eggs. Low-carb meals can also be made by combining low-carb foods. Chicken ceasar salads and salads with tuna on them, minus the croutons, for example are popular low-carb dishes. Mayonnaise, cheese, creamy dressings, sour cream and salsa are other examples of low-carb foods.

Eating low-carb foods can have several effects on the body. Low-carb foods can make you feel full and decrease your appetite. They also have fewer calories than higher carbohydrate foods, so calorie intake also tends to decrease when eating low-carb. The combination of these effects can cause rapid weight loss (See Resources).

When looking at the nutrition labels of low-carb foods, it's important that you calculate the net-carbs of the food. Net carbs are the carbs that are responsible for raising blood sugar levels. To calculate the net carbs, subtract the grams of fiber from the grams of total carbohydrates. Since fiber is a non-digestible form of carbohydrate and has no impact on blood sugar, it can be subtracted from the total number of carbohydrates. What you're left with is the amount of carbs that will affect blood sugar levels.

When you first start to eat low-carb foods you can experience diarrhea. This can happen because your body is working to eliminate extra carbs and adjust to a new way of eating. Since some low-carb foods are sweetened with artificial sweeteners, you can also get diarrhea from eating too many low-carb candies and snacks (See Resources).