Carbs seem to always get the bad rap. I have heard hundreds of women say “I’m not eating carbs anymore” as they sit there eating a salad. Below I will clear up the confusion so you can feel great and energized while eating the right kind of carbs. There are bad carbs for sure, and there are healthy carbs for weight loss that you should have in your diet plan.
Vegetables ARE carbs, but they are the good ones. And in fact, most people are SO deficient in fibrous veggies that by eliminating ALL carbs they gain more weight.
Which brings me to the conversation that I have often…Carbs are needed and many of them are good.
However, a lot of them should be avoided, or limited.
The healthy carbs for weight loss, also fuel energy, brain, and muscle power.
Carbohydrates are essential for the body to balance the systems if you are trying to lose weight, and needed to keep blood sugar stable.
If you are too tired to think, let alone too tired to work out because you are not eating carbs, then all efforts to lose belly fat will be wasted.
Cutting ALL carbs is a mistake a lot of women make, and find themselves binging and exhausted with brain fog and despair.
Sure, there are a lot of diets and conversations lately about getting all of your energy from fats.
There is a lot of information out there as well, that we have been misled about saturated fats and why we need them.
The latter part is true, but like any food…all carbs and all fats are not created equal.
Key point: Carbs are either stored as fat or used immediately for energy.
Eating carbs right before a workout can give you a “boost” in power, endurance and energy levels, provided they are complex in nature.
A half-cup serving of carbs after a very intense workout, in addition to some protein, can replenish glucose stores and fuel the body. This benefits the next workout, and, aids in the recovery process.
Simple carbs like white bread, rice and pasta, or pastries packaged foods and snacks are most likely going to be stored as fat, spike blood sugar levels and make you crave more.
Beneficial Carbohydrates:
In moderation, sprouted grain breads are a good source of energy either first thing in the morning or before and after a workout.
Gluten-free Oats or Steel Cut Oats – Great breakfast food hot with almonds and berries, or you can add them dry to a smoothie for a beneficial power food loaded with fiber, protein and a great sustainable source of energy
Sweet potatoes/White and Yukon Gold Potatoes – Great source before and after workouts.
Green and Colorful Vegetables – Eat these in abundance and often!
Greens, peppers, artichokes, asparagus, kale, spinach, mixed greens, cukes andcelery should be on your plate daily.
These green veggies are great at detoxifying the body as well as adding fiber to the digestive system.
They are also a much overlooked nutrient in the weight-loss equation, as we need at least 25-35 gms of fiber daily.
Pears – High in fiber
Bananas – loaded with potassium and a great pre and post workout snack.
Berries – Raspberries, Cherries, Tart Cherries, Blueberries, Blackberries
Carbohydrates to Omit:
Pastries/Cookies/Bagels/Donuts
PastaRiceWhite or Wheat Bread
Eat for energy, not for weight loss.
Feed your body, brain and spirit so that you feel good and can power through each day. Limit or eliminate processed foods and stop dieting to lose weight. My programs are designed for women over 40, that have gained weight due to hormones and yo-yo dieting.
Try to stop thinking in negative terms or about what you “can’t eat” or are “not allowed” to eat.
Your body is a beautiful machine and if you feed it a variety of whole, organic and nutritious foods, you will live longer, stronger and in a body you love!
Sharing ways for us to look and feel great at any age!
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Coach Dawn