5 low carb, quick fixes from your local UAE corner shop (Baqala)

Here are five low carb quick fixes you can find in your local baqala

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - - -  March 21, 2013 ---  The new baqala grocery stores are popping up in neighborhoods across the emirate and in some instances, directly across from one another such as the two baqala stores in a tourist club neighborhood.    ( DELORES JOHNSON / The National )
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On a high protein diet, low carbohydrate diet but had no time to get your work lunch ready? Here are five low carb, quick fixes you can find in your local baqala.

Avocado

JMGWR6 Ripe fresh avocado with leaves on blue wooden table. Irina Naoumova / Alamy Stock Photo
Ripe fresh avocado. Irina Naoumova / Alamy Stock Photo

Mix with lemon juice, some olive oil and salt for an easy guacamole. An avocado contains roughly 12gm of carbs, but if you consider that 9gm of those are dietry fibre, that leaves only 3gm net carbs.

Yoghurt

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES,  JULY 11, 2013. Yoghurt and labna are foods that can be made locally in the slow food process. With local organic milk being available this is a relatively easy procedure. Shot at Baker and Spice in Souk Al Manzil, Dubai. (ANTONIE ROBERTSON / The National) Journalist Afshan Ahmed *** Local Caption ***  AR_1107_Slow_Food_Yoghurt01.jpg
Yoghurt. Antonie Robertson / The National

You will find a range of yoghurts in the fridge section.  The locally produced Al Rawabi plain yoghurt that comes in a variety of sizes tends to be a favourite. A 100gm pot of full fat yoghurt has 7gm of carbs. You can make an on-the-go raita (an Indian dish consisting of chopped vegetables of your choice - cucumber is commonly used.)

Cheese

August 2016, Dubai, United Arab Emirates ö Award winning Riva Ristorante, Bar and Beach has re-launched their delicious seasonal menus which focus on a different ingredient each month. Kicking off in September, the fresh and flavoursome menu will be using Plums in all three courses including Starters, Mains and Dessert.
Grilled Plums & Heirloom Tomato Salad, Ricotta Cheese, Mix Leaves & Red Wine Vinegar Dressing 2
Couresy Riva Ristorante  *** Local Caption ***   al99 BITES riva_1.JPG
A salad containing feta cheese. Couresy Riva Ristorante

Baqalas stock a variety of cheeses, the majority are prepackaged and a bit "plasticky," but people love the feta and white cheese varieties available. Buy some veggies and make a quick salad on the go.

Nuts

Raw almonds spilling out of small glass bowl (iStockphoto.com)
Raw almonds. iStockphoto.com

Nuts are a great way to stave off the hunger your local baqala has a great variety. From brazil to macademia, you can find your fix. A 30gm serving of mixed nuts has about 5gm of carbs.

Protein bread

Modern Bakery's protein bread. Courtesy Modern Bakery
Modern Bakery's protein bread. Courtesy Modern Bakery

Modern Bakery makes protein bread which you can find in all baqalas - it comes in slices (toast bread) or in flat bread form. Per 100gm this wonderful and tasty bread only contains 7.9gm of carbs. Dip in the raita, spread with the avocado or put your cheese on to it and you are good to go.

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