How to Eat Carbs and Avoid Weight Gain (2328 hits)
It's a common belief that carbohydrates (or carbs) should be limited or even avoided for successful weight management. There is some truth in this notion as certain types of carbs are more beneficial than others. When chosen carefully, carbs can be highly effective in the prevention and management of unhealthy weight gain and obesity. Here are some simple dos and don'ts for eating carbs without gaining weight.
#1 - Do: Load up on vegetables.
Vegetables are the healthiest, most nutritious source of carbohydrates, as they are all rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting antioxidants. Since vegetables tend to be low in calories, sodium, sugar, and cholesterol they're indeed the best carbohydrate-rich food source for effectively managing your weight. To ensure that you obtain all of the essential nutrients housed in vegetables, it is important to consume at least 3-5 servings each day (click here for simple ways to add vegetables into your diet).
#2 - Do: Eat fruits in sensible portions. Although fruits are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and many minerals you must be cognizant of how much you consume on a daily basis. While most fruits are low in calories, they contain large amounts of natural sugar, which can present a problem if they are consumed in excess. On an average, you should consume 2-4 servings of fruit on a daily basis. A serving constitutes, 1/2 cup of fresh, canned, or juiced fruit, 1 small whole fruit (the size of a tangerine or plum), or 1/4 cup of dried fruit (raisins or cranberries) (click here to learn how to eat fruit in a healthy way).