Most people avoid carbs when they are trying to lose weight because of diets that claim that carbohydrates are the likely culprit as to why our weight goes up. Unfortunately, zeroing on a single food group is not really healthy, not to mention dangerous too, because you are robbing yourself of important nutrients.
Keep in mind that there is a difference between refined carbs, which are typically found in processed foods as well as pasta, cakes and the like, as well as complex carbs which are found in whole grains. Being able to distinguish the two and knowing what to avoid can help you in your weight loss journey. If you are wondering if it is possible for you to lose weight while still eating carbs, the answer is yes. Here are a few tips how to achieve this.
Choose the right carbs
Eating potatoes is actually good for you since they are packed with fiber, have low energy density, and they are quite filling too. On the other hand, potato chips, which are usually deep fried in oil, and flavored with salt and pepper, or even a dipping sauce, can cause your calorie intake to go up. See the difference?
Avoid drinking your carbs
Between eating fruits as is and making them into smoothies, which one do you think offers the most benefit? That’s right, eating them raw is far better because their nutrients and antioxidants remain intact. The juicing process can simply reduce the amount of nutritional content of the fruit as well as the fiber they contain which means that you are drinking a lot of sugar which isn’t good for your health.
Load up on fiber
Instead of focusing on your calorie intake, a better method is to pay attention to the nutrients that you are getting. Compared to carbs as well as protein, fat tends to have more calories. Carbs come with fiber which we cannot digest, but it is essential for our digestion. There are several studies that show that soluble fiber, like the ones that you will find in oats, are actually useful when it comes to weight loss and reducing high cholesterol levels. That said, it would be a good idea for you to mix whole grains and a decent amount of vegetables on your plate during mealtimes to keep everything balanced.
Watch your portions
Portion eating should still be practiced even when you are eating complex carbs. This way, it will be easier for you to maintain your weight. Instead of eating off a large plate, switch to a smaller one and put more vegetables, whole grains, and lean meat to keep your nutrient intake balanced.
Cook them right
Like in our example above, eating potatoes are good, but once you introduce it to oil and deep fry it, the nutritional content of the potato disappears and replaced by all the wrong compounds. This is why you need to cook your carbs correctly if you want to be able to enjoy them without worrying about gaining weight. The best approach here would be to bake or steam your foods containing carbohydrates.
These are just a few tips on how you will be able to eat carbs without worrying about your weight. Keep in mind that not all carbs are bad for you because you have complex carbs that are slowly released in your system that will help keep your blood sugar levels stable. What you should avoid are the refined carbs that are typically found in those sweet treats that you’ve been binging on like pasta, bagels, and the like.
