Cut Off Those Carbs


You may think carbs are your soulmate and you maybe in a relationship with mashed potatoes but let’s face it, these complex carbs does no good to your body. As much as we love these, good looking, full of calories fancy burgers, fries and pizzas, they take a big toll on the waistlines. These processed carbohydrates strip away the beneficial fiber and are the main culprits behind un-digestion. Refined carbs can drive overeating and increase the risk of obesity. However, people need to know that all carbs are not the same. Simple carbohydrates that provide fuel for the working of the body are very essential. We sometimes don’t realise that how many carbs are hiding in healthy foods like apples, bananas or a head of cauliflower. These are great diet food but in moderation.There are good carbs and then there are bad carbs. Carbs are the body’s energy source, so one shouldn’t eliminate all carbs from his or her diet. Instead, the goal should be to cut out the bad carbs that one eats on a daily basis. The “good carbs” can be found in the typical healthy, fiber-rich meal consisting of whole grains, vegetables, and certain fruits (raspberries, grapefruit, strawberries). “Bad carbs,” on the other hand, are starch-heavy and contain a lot of processed sugar found in pasta, bread, potatoes, and candy. These carbs are bad because they rapidly spike our blood sugar levels. One must get into the habit of checking every product label, as well as quickly searching carb and protein counts. One must plan to try and limit the carb intake and stick to vegetables with good carbs instead of chips that are full of bad carbs. One never realizes just how bad some of their favorite treats are. You must closely watch every single thing you eat for 30 days and then you can know about how to keep a careful eye on what you choose to eat further. One can make small lifestyle changes. Here’s what you can do!

  1. Cut Back on Bread Bread is a staple food in many diets but its very high in carbs and low in fiber. Especially, white bread made from refined grains, which has bad effects on health and weight. Even nutritious bread contains about 10 grams of carbs per slice. There are many other options that provide those essential nutrients with much lesser carbs. These healthy foods include vegetables, nuts and seeds.
  2. Stop Drinking Fruit Juice Unlike whole fruit, artificial fruit juice contains no fiber at all and is full of sugar. It's best to avoid juice completely. Instead, put strawberries or orange slice in your water to flavor it. Fruit juice contains as many carbs as artificially sugar-sweetened beverages.
  3. Choose Low-Carb Snacks Carbs can add up quickly in snack foods such as chips and namkeen. These types of foods are also not very healthy.Having a low-carb snack that contains protein is the best strategy when hunger strikes between meals. There are a few healthy snacks that contain minimal carbs and healthy fiber like almonds, peanuts and walnuts.
  4. Eat Eggs Eggs are a great breakfast choice when you're trying to cut back on carbs. They're also a great source of protein, which also helps you feel fuller for hours. Choosing eggs as low-carb foods is a great healthy choice.
  5. Use Sweeteners Instead of Sugar Majority people feel honey is healthier but it's even higher in carbs. One tablespoon has around 15 grams of carbs. Learning to enjoy the natural flavor of foods without adding any sweetener may ultimately be best. However, here are some safe sugar-free sweeteners that can be used but not too frequently. Stevia: Stevia comes from the stevia plant. In animal studies, it has been shown to help lower blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity. Erythritol: Erythritol is a type of sugar alcohol that tastes like sugar and does not raise insulin levels.