Low-carb eating is one of the most effective approaches for weight management and blood sugar control. Unlike strict keto, low-carb diets allow more flexibility while still keeping carbohydrates well below standard guidelines. Calorix's AI focuses on net carb tracking and helps you find the carb threshold that works for your body.
What is a low-carb diet?
A low-carb diet reduces carbohydrate intake below the typical 45–65% of calories that standard nutrition guidelines recommend. Most low-carb approaches target 50–150g of carbs per day, depending on activity level and individual goals. This is more flexible than keto (under 50g) but significantly lower than standard eating.
Low-carb diets work by reducing insulin spikes, improving blood sugar stability, and encouraging the body to use fat for fuel. Research shows they're particularly effective for weight loss, type 2 diabetes management, and reducing triglycerides. The flexibility compared to keto makes them sustainable for most people.
How Calorix adapts to low-carb meals
When you choose low-carb, Calorix sets your carb target based on your goals and activity level—typically between 50–150g daily. The dashboard prominently displays net carbs alongside calories. The AI coach suggests lower-carb alternatives when you ask for meal ideas and warns when a meal would push you over your daily carb target.
The food recognition engine calculates net carbs for every logged meal and identifies hidden carb sources that catch many low-carb dieters off guard—like the 15g of carbs in a "healthy" smoothie bowl or the sugar in salad dressings.
Typical macro targets for low-carb
Low-carb macros sit between standard eating and strict keto, offering a sustainable middle ground:
- Carbohydrates: 15–30% of calories — 50–150g daily from vegetables, some fruits, and limited whole grains
- Protein: 25–35% of calories — meat, fish, eggs, and dairy provide satiety and preserve muscle mass
- Fat: 35–50% of calories — healthy fats from nuts, avocado, olive oil, butter, and fatty fish
The wide carb range lets you find your personal sweet spot. Some people thrive at 100g of carbs, others feel best closer to 50g. Calorix helps you experiment and find what works.
Example meals the AI recognizes
Low-carb meals often substitute starchy sides with vegetables or skip them entirely:
- Grilled chicken with Caesar salad (no croutons)
- Steak with roasted broccoli and butter
- Egg omelette with cheese, mushrooms, and spinach
- Bunless burger with avocado and side salad
- Tuna salad with lettuce wraps
- Pork chops with cauliflower mash and green beans
- Greek yogurt with berries and almonds
- Salmon with asparagus and hollandaise sauce
Tips for tracking low-carb meals with AI
Low-carb tracking is more forgiving than keto but still requires carb awareness. These habits help:
- Identify your hidden carb sources. Condiments, sauces, and dressings often contain more sugar than you expect. Log them separately for accurate carb counts
- Track your carb timing. Some people perform better with carbs around workouts. Note when you eat your carbs to find your optimal pattern
- Don't fear fat. On low-carb, fat replaces carbs as an energy source. Skimping on fat while cutting carbs leaves you hungry and low on energy
- Distinguish net carbs from total carbs. Fiber doesn't spike blood sugar. Calorix shows net carbs by default so you can eat fiber-rich vegetables freely
- Ask the coach for carb swaps. Instead of cutting foods entirely, ask the AI for lower-carb alternatives. Cauliflower rice for white rice saves 35g of carbs per serving