Too many people are scared of carbs – especially those who are trying to lose weight. It’s true that many carbohydrate-rich foods are high in calories BUT your body needs carbs. Cutting out carbs in the short term is ok for weight loss but carbs should be part of a healthy, balanced diet. It’s all about being smart when you eat carbs.
1 Don’t Give Them up
It’s important to remember that giving up carbs all together is not the best option for your body. They are vital; you just need to learn how to be smart about them.
Frequently asked questions
2 Eat Less Processed Foods
You can eat carbs the smart way by choosing fewer processed foods. Match carb foods with fiber, fat and protein for a balanced meal with a healthy Gi.
3 Eat Avocado
Avocado is the perfect food for the right balance, full of healthy fats and very high in carbohydrates without being unhealthy.
4 Drink Tomato Juice
Tomato juice is something simple and easy to have with your evening meal that will also help to reduce your body’s glycemic load, balancing out your carb intake. Alternatively, lemon juice is also great.
5 Eat Oatmeal
Oatmeal is definitely your friend, especially slow cooked oatmeal. Compared to quick oats, the slow cooked variety offer far more fiber, which is essential for a healthy diet.
6 Complement with Protein
If you want to have a sweet piece of cake or pie, make sure to have a little protein to accompany it; something like cottage cheese of peanut butter is perfect.
7 Lightly Steam Your Veggies
Only lightly steaming your vegetables rather than making them super soft is great way to get them to keep the best of their healthy fiber content.
8 Go for Firm Fruits
The firmer a piece of fruit is, the less likely it is to have a lot of naturally occurring sugar. Always opt for fruit that isn’t overly ripe, that will be the healthiest choice.
9 Sashimi All the Way
If you’re out for some Japanese food, always opt for sashimi over other dishes, as the dish will help you to avoid the starchy carbohydrate that is white rice!
10 Ditch a Sandwich
Instead of a bread heavy sandwich, go for a tasty filling salad containing ingredients like salmon, tuna or egg. Very carb light! Or join the growing band of women who use lettuce as their bread for a sandwich.
11 Consider Your Pizza Crust
When it comes to pizza crust, opt for a thinner, whole-wheat option instead of think white flour crust. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for a cauliflower base!
12 Lentil Soup
Go for a legume or lentil based soup rather than a potato based option, because lentils and legumes have a much higher fiber content overall.
13 Apple and Almond Butter
A wonderful snack to have is an apple with a tablespoon of almond butter. It’s a tasty bite with great fiber, protein and fat content.
14 Get Breakfast Right
Have a bowl of cereal AND a boiled egg to increase your protein levels and slow down the release of sugar in to your bloodstream through the day.
15 Berries
Berries are your best friend. Choose a selection of berries instead of fruits like pineapple and banana as they are much lower in sugar and have great antioxidant properties.
16 Dark Chocolate
It might be an acquired taste, but dark chocolate is full of great antioxidants just like the berries. Choose it over milk or white chocolate whenever you can.
17 Listen to Your Body
Ultimately, you need to listen to your body and react to what it is telling you. Some people more or less carbs than others, so make sure you look after yourself whatever changes you decide to make.
Carbs should not be seen as something to restrict. They are nourishing and comforting. Like I said, it’s all about eating them smart.
