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The Low Down on Carbs (By: Kimberly A. Tessmer, RD LD)
Unless you don't watch TV, eat out, read the newspaper, read magazines, or listen to the radio you have heard about the carb craze! So what is it about carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet. Carbohydrates are a nutrient and are found in starches (including sugar), fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Pasta isn't uniquely fattening. Neither are potatoes, rice or bread. It's true that many overweight people have difficulty metabolizing large amounts of carbohydrates, but that's an effect of their physiology, not a cause. The cause of obesity is too many calories period whether they come from carbs, fat, protein or all three. The other half is not enough exercise. It is the type of carbs you choose and the amount that you eat daily that can be a problem.
The key is to focus on the types of carbohydrate you choose: refined snacks and sweets made with white flour and sugar are highly caloric, while fiber-rich whole grains, fruits and vegetables are much more filling, with fewer calories. For example: choose whole wheat bread over white bread, brown rice over white rice, and bran cereal over sugary cereals. Use fruits and vegetables to snack on instead of candy, other sweets, chips, etc... As always everything in moderation! You don't have to go WITHOUT carbs to lose weight. You just need to eat a moderate amount, choose the right type, and get your body moving! |
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