It’s the time of year where women begin to think about losing weight. Have you?
If so, have you been thinking you’ll just stop eating carbs to help you lose weight?
That is a great question to ask and I hope to help you with an answer.
There’s so much advice out there. Should you avoid carbs at all costs? Should you only get your carbs from vegetables and fruit? How much should you eat?
Clients often say to me: “I’m just going to stop eating carbs”, “I’m going give up carbs and just get them from vegetables and fruit” or “I’m going to follow the ketogenic diet”.
With all the confusion about this I understand how people can feel overwhelmed.
The answer is NO. Please don’t stop eating carbohydrate-rich foods and here’s why.
Carbohydrate-rich foods are the foundation of a healthy diet. High-quality carbs have essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients in a natural package.
The healthy whole food carbohydrates I’m referring to are:
- whole grains like oats, barley, couscous, brown rice, quinoa, millet;
- sprouted whole-grain bread;
- starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn and yams;
- legumes like black beans, peas and pinto beans.
By eliminating a food group, like healthy carbs which includes potatoes, starchy vegetables, legumes, etc., you will deprive your body of some very important nutrients. It will in turn reward you with CRAVINGS, fatigue, brain fog and more.
Whole food carbohydrates are your body’s main source of energy: They help fuel your brain, kidneys, heart, muscles and central nervous system.
Clients come to me and say they want to follow a low-carb diet to help with their pre-diabetes, high-blood pressure or metabolic syndrome. Here’s the reality…. any type of eating plan that helps you shed excess weight can reduce or even reverse risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. So why choose one that eliminates a food group that will HELP you manage your blood-sugar, have more energy and get rid of brain fog?
When you cut out carbs you can experience some pretty icky side-effects like:
- headache
- bad breath
- weakness
- loss of concentration
- muscle cramps
- fatigue
- skin rash
- constipation or diarrhea
Whole food carbohydrates are not the enemy.