A lot of diets try to divert people away from eating carbs, however there are actually many carbohydrates that people can eat that can assist the body in burning fat more efficiently. Carbs that are all natural are actually the best way to go, refined carbs like anything white such as white flour and sugar are the carbs people need to stay away from.
Refined carbs heighten blood glucose levels and basically contain no nutritional value. Veggies are of course the best choice for a low fat, low calorie diet. Anyone wanting to lose weight can eat vegetables and not only gain bulk in their diet without adding unnecessary calories or increasing their blood glucose levels.
Good Carbs that Help You Lose Fat
Whole grains and potatoes are know as unrefined starches and they are also a good nutritional decision for anyone looking to lose weight. Potatoes are an excellent food source to achieve an increase in weight loss, at less than 0.7 calories per gram or approximately 90 calories per potato, the potato offers a good source of fiber and potassium, it lowers cholesterol and protects against heart disease and strokes.
They can be very beneficial when paired with a lean protein and other low calorie vegetables, they provide loads of high fiber which is necessary in keeping the digestion system working efficiently. Fruits are also an excellent source of energy but a person needs only three to four servings. Fruits are a great food source to burn fat and they provide many vitamins and antioxidants.
Green vegetables like asparagus, greens, cabbage, broccoli, celery can help regulate blood glucose levels and are great in helping burn body fat. Starches or whole grains such as white potatoes, barley, rye, yams, whole grain cereals, lentils and oatmeal are also great unrefined starches and provide not only bulk to your diet but also aid in digestion and provide the body with a good energy source. For example a yam has approximately 105 calories and its orange tasty insides is one of the best ways of getting vitamin A.
Fruits that rank high on the list consists of oranges, grapefruit, bananas, apples, grapes, fresh pears and peaches, all of which are great sources of vitamins and other vital nutrients while aiding in the body’s ability to lose fat. For example a grapefruit has approximately 75 calories and delivers about 15 grams of pectin, it has a high amount of potassium and vitamin C.
Slow carbohydrates are those that keep the body burning fat throughout the day, while also keeping blood sugar levels as stable as possible. People who follow a low carb vs a no carb diet will not only lose weight easier but maintain their weight loss with greater effectiveness.
The way foods impact your blood sugar levels are known as the glycemic index and foods that cause rapid increases in blood sugar are rated very high on the glycemic scale. Slow carbs are rated however low to moderate on the glycemic scale.
The reason a person should be concerned with their glycemic index or the level at which their foods are rated on the glycemic index is because the higher the rating the more the sugars trigger the body to release insulin into your blood. Insulin in huge amounts then responds like massive storage components and can trigger the body to store the carbs as fat.
Most packaged and processed foods are high carbs foods and high on the glycemic index. This includes foods such as muffins, pastas, bagels, pancakes, cookies, chips, pretzels, crackers, breads, cakes and any other items made with refined sugars or white flour.
Low glycemic index foods are almost all vegetables and raw fruits, whole grains, lean beef, fish, eggs and chicken. The biggest problem dieters have is that our diets have increasing become filled with fast foods, refined sugars, and processed foods that can be easily reheated in microwaves for easier convenience. The problem is this is exactly what is killing us, we have developed many severe medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, high triglycerides, along with severe depression and ADD.
I have been overweight for most of my adult life and I can honestly tell you it is increasing hard to stay on a good diet with all the fast food places and high calorie temptations that are constantly in front of you day in and day out. I am constantly battling with my diet and food choices on a daily basis, while trying to maintain a low calorie diet and keep my blood glucose levels in check.
