Carbohydrates are the foods that allow for sugars and starches. These foods are the ones that provide the fuel and energy for our bodies. The important thing is to be balanced when choosing a diet and to remember that every food group needs to be included; even carbs. Moderation is the key to healthy eating and, whenever it is possible, be sure to select complex carbohydrates.
When people talk about Carbs is the shortened name for these energy items. When people discuss Carbs, they are usually targeting those foods with higher concentrations of sugars or starches. If you check, you will notice that carbohydrates are contained in a majority of the foods that we eat.
Most high carbohydrate foods are such things as candies, white bread, pasta, potatoes and all kinds of processed foods. You need to stay away from canned foods and choose fresh fruits and vegetables, if you want to follow a low carb diet. Stick to unprocessed foods like brown rice and whole wheat bread. If you desire to have cereal, a plain bowl of oatmeal is an excellent food to try.
Carbohydrates exist in two forms, simple and complex; with simple carbs being found in sugars, pastas, white bread and rice, candies and a few of the natural fruits. This is the body’s top source for energy. Complex carbohydrates finish second in creating energy. These carbohydrates make you feel full longer, because they take longer to digest. Vegetables, certain fruits, beans, potatoes, pasta and whole grain breads are some of the best sources of carbohydrates.
While you are attempting to lose weight on a low carb diet, your carbohydrate numbers must remain between 20 gm to 50 gm daily. If you are maintaining your weight, 180-300 gm per day of carbohydrates will work nicely. To help you get that “full” feeling when trying to avoid carbs you should try to eat much more protein. Meats that are lean, like turkey are protein rich.
A low carb diet causes your body to look for energy sources if it is not able to find the carbohydrates in the bloodstream, it will take glucose from your liver. If you have no carbohydrates, you body will begin to burn some of your own fat supply.
Vegetables are usually low in carbs, but there are some exceptions such as, corn, potatoes, a few mushroom varieties, green peas and rhubarb; which carry a higher carb content and may derail your diet if eaten too often. Even Shiitake mushrooms are almost 25% carbohydrate. Generally, cucumbers are low in carboyhydrates, but if you are watching your carbs, the 10 gm they have can really add up. Good for low carb diets, most lean meats can be enjoyed baked or grilled. Beans are an excellent option even though they can put a minimal amount of carbs in your daily total. Don’t eat processed foods, sugary foods, and starches in big quantities–and leave canned food items alone.
In order to diet correctly, you must remember to exercise. Even a low carb diet is not enough to successfully and quickly burn fat. The fat burning process is aided by exercise each day. Exercise is good for you but there is a tip for you to use. Any 15 minutes doing some brisk walking exercise that can cause you to get your heart rate up into the target range.
If you do this, for the next 30-45 minutes your body will be burning fat cells to supply your energy needs. This is because it takes about 15 minutes for your body to use up its supply of stored glucose. You should not eat just before exercising, you do not want to have extra carbs in your bloodstream for your body to burn, you want to target the fat.
