Low-Brow is Easiest for Low-Carb

Eating out is a challenge with diet restrictions, especially when your diet contradicts conventional wisdom about what a healthy diet is. Maybe that's why low-brow grocers and restaurants--you know, those places for people who just don't care what they put in their bodies--seem to have more low-carb offerings than health food stores and natty eateries.

Most nice restaurants put a basket of savory bread in front of you when you're hungry. Except for the ubiquitous grilled chicken salad, everything on the menu has fruit, rice, potatoes or pasta. Even at the two airports where I recently ate (not exactly fine dining there), most of the food looked starchy and sugary. But the burger from Burger King was fine without the bun and the quarter-pound, cheesy hot dog in Indiana hit the spot. (Certain processed meats give me a sinus headache--this didn't.) And the chicken club from a Hardee's in that state was just as tasty as those I get at Carl's Jr. (the same company) here in Colorado.

The friend I saw in Indiana took me shopping to buy food I could eat. She bought sour cream, a shrimp ring, vegetables, etc. at Wal-Mart. Here at home, I get those things--plus pork rinds and low-carb ice cream--at King Soopers (owned by Kroger). The Sunflower Market, Natural Grocers and Safeway near my house don't carry pork rinds or low-carb ice cream; Safeway doesn't even carry full-fat yogurt. I guess they'd have to get rid of some low-fat food to make room. But I'll say this for Natural Grocers: they carry high-quality, grass fed beef and free-range chicken.

For snacks that are within walking distance, I go to 7-11. They have pork rinds, cooked hot wings and cold diet drinks (not to mention a Red Box for DVD rentals and an ATM that I can use for free).

Eating a low-carb diet has given me a new appreciation for low-brow places. Between that, and my reduced appetite from avoiding starch and sugar, I'm probably saving some money.