Healthy Carbs For Weight Loss

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I used to struggle with my weight. A lot. It would consume my thoughts and actions and actually led me down the path of becoming a nutritionist. And 20 years later, here I am at my lowest weight and feeling my healthiest.

I’d like to share with you something I learned that forever changed my life and that I’ve used to help change the lives of hundreds of my clients struggling with weight loss over the years.

Now, brace yourself…

The majority of your diet each day should come from carbs, especially if you want to lose weight. Yes, You read that right. But not just any carbs... the healthy carbs.

To learn more about losing weight without restricting, the Signature eCourse is a 12-video clean eating program taught by me while doing The Signature Reset. You can lose 15-20 pounds without going low carb with The Signature Reset today.

Lose 15-20 LBS While Eating Carbs

What Are Carbs?

Carbohydrates are a type of macronutrient that gives your body energy.

The three types of carbohydrates are sugars, starches, and fiber.

When you eat carbs, your body breaks them down and converts them into glucose. Glucose is absorbed through your blood and then used to give your body energy. [1]

The Lies We’ve Been Told

You’ve heard time and time again that carbs cause weight gain or that you should omit them from your diet, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The trend of cutting carbs started in the 1970s and has unfortunately been engraved into the heads of many Americans ever since... not so groovy.

But the truth of the matter is people who try low-carb diets usually find them unsustainable, as they cause fatigue, weakness, and even headaches. You may lose weight initially, but long-term, it's not sustainable or healthy.

Long-term low-carb diets can even put you at risk of osteoporosis, kidney disease, increased cancer risk, fatigue, or inability to do physical activities [2].

So why do we keep putting ourselves through the vicious cycles of no carbs and fewer-calorie fads?

Why do We Need Carbs?

Despite what you may have been told by diet culture, our bodies need carbs. Carbohydrates are a vital macronutrient, just like protein and healthy fats. Your body needs macronutrients in large amounts, especially to function at its best [3].

Ever wonder why athletes carb load before practice or games? Carbohydrates are a vital source of energy that fuels our body. No carbs in your diet means no energy.

However, there is a major difference between the processed carbs many Americans eat and healthy carbs.

Carbs: The Bad, The Good, The Ugly

Not all carbs are created equally. There is a major difference between carbohydrates from processed foods versus those that come from whole foods, so let’s dive into it.

Simple Carbs are the bad carbs. Don’t be fooled by the name. These are carbs from processed, packaged foods like white bread, cakes, juices from concentrate, pasta, breakfast cereals, sugary drinks, and baked goods.

These carbs should be avoided at all costs. They have almost no nutritional value, cause cravings, hinder weight loss goals, and promote excess body fat, obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. They can also cause blood sugar spikes from their lack of nutrients.

Complex carbohydrates are the carbs you want to eat without limit. Complex carbs can be found in fruits, veggies, and healthy whole grains.

These carbs take longer to digest because they are also a great source of fiber, thus sustaining your energy and not causing spikes in blood sugar levels. They are packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, and antioxidants, so when you eat them, you’re actually receiving health benefits instead of empty calories like you would from simple carbs.

An added bonus from complex carbs? Weight loss. You will feel fuller for longer because they are loaded with dietary fiber. True satiety means less overeating and being able to reach those weight loss goals with ease. High fiber fruits and veggies for the win.

The “ugly” here is that people avoid all of the amazing benefits that good carbs have to offer. But I am here to tell you that you can reach a healthy weight while eating carbs.

What are the Healthy Carbs for Weight Loss?

When it comes to healthy carbs, they all have my vote. No one carb is better than the other when it comes to weight management—just as long as they are healthy (key word: “healthy”).

Eat More of These Carbs and Lose Weight:

  • All fruits

  • All veggies (including starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes and white potatoes)

  • Legumes (including lentils, chickpeas, black beans, etc)

  • Whole Grains (including brown rice, white rice, quinoa, and oats)

  • Natural sugars like raw honey or pure maple syrup

     

Carbs to Avoid -

  • White bread

  • Anything with “Enriched wheat flour” (including whole wheat bread and whole grain bread)

  • Cakes

  • Cookies

  • Most Crackers

  • Most Pastas

  • Sports Drinks & Sodas

  • Refined Sugars (white table sugar & High-Fructose Corn Syrup)

Carbs Unveiled: The Key to Sustainable Weight Loss

After struggling with my weight for years, I found the secret to sustainable weight loss. And that’s embracing healthy carbs.

Unlearn what you were told. Stop tracking the grams of carbs and instead track the TYPE of carbs you eat.

Lose weight the healthy way. The sustainable way. And that’s by fueling your body with a variety of good carbohydrates.

Say goodbye to the lie. You can achieve your weight loss goals without compromising on the foods you love or heavily restricting yourself. If you want to learn how to shed belly fat in the healthiest way possible, sign up for The Signature Reset today.

The Signature Reset is a 90-day program designed by me, a holistic nutritionist who knows a thing or two about losing weight and keeping it off. You’ll reset your health and eating habits and get real support all along the way.

I’m Ready To Lose Weight For Good

If you have any specific questions or concerns about the program, feel free to email me directly at TheSignatureReset@rawgeneration.com, and I will get back to you as soon as I’m able.

 

Sources:

  1. Carbohydrates

  2. Low-Carbohydrate Diets: What Are The Potential Short- And Tong-Term Health Implications?

  3. What To Know About Macronutrients


Bio image of article author Lisa Testa, M.S.

With over two decades of expertise in the field of Health & Wellness, Lisa Testa, M.S. is an experienced nutritionist who has dedicated her career to empowering hundreds of clients on their journeys to weight loss and natural healing through the transformative power of raw food nutrition.

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