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.
A lot of the foods that have a lot of carbs in them are junk food items, in addition to sweets, white bread, potatoes and pasta. Fresh produce is a staple of the low-carb diet. Avoid canned goods. Stick to unprocessed foods like brown rice and whole wheat bread. Plain oatmeal is a tasty treat for cereal lovers.
Two kinds of carbohydrates exist, one being simple carbs, including sugars, candy, white bread, pastas as well as dairy products and also several fruits. This is the body’s top source for energy. Complex carbohydrates are second in terms of furnishing our energy source. Your body takes longer to break down these carbohydrates which is why you can go longer between meals and not feel hungry. Foods such as veggies, various fruits, beans, potatoes,pasta and whole wheat bread include these types 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.
Glucose can be pulled from the liver for energy if carbohydrates are not present in the bloodstream due to a low carbohydrate diet. Without the immediate energy source of carbohydrates, the body will reluctantly begin to burn some of the fat supply existing in its cells.
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 carbohydrates, 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.
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