Carbs and Weight-Loss


Low Carb Ideas That May Help You Lose Those Unwanted Pounds

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The reason low-carb diets work is that your body normally uses carbs as a first fuel.
  • United StatesWhile completely avoiding carbs and sugars is generally not very healthy for most people. However, decreasing these two items in your daily diet can really help you in your weight loss attempt. It will also make your progress move along much faster if you increase your protein intake simultaneously.
    You are likely to have greater success in your weight loss efforts if you drink milk more often. Milk is high in calcium and fortified with Vitamin D. Also, the protein, carbs and fat in milk are in the perfect balance. Studies have shown that increased calcium and Vitamin D levels equate to greater weight loss.
    For some people, at some times, a low-carb diet may really be the answer, at least in the beginning. The reason low-carb diets work is that your body normally uses carbs as a first fuel. When you give your body no carbs (the "induction" phase of most low-carb diets), your body needs to use something for fuel, and so turns to burning your own fat. These diets have proven very successful for many people, but should be undertaken with care as people do need some carbs in their diet. Most low-carb diets nowadays move from an induction phase into a much healthier maintenance phase, where "smart carbs" (high-fiber, lower-calorie choices) are reintroduced.
    Carbs are cheap and tasty, but not really healthy or nourishing. It takes the digestive system a long time to process carbs, so long that a great deal of the potential energy in carbohydrate-rich food is converted directly into fat instead of being burned usefully.
    While cutting back on carbs is a very effective strategy there has been a tradition for some time now to cut out carbs completely. This is a not a good idea, as it can lead to many health problems for you, including a general feeling of lethargy and lack of mental energy.
    Avoid heavy meals in the morning, especially if they contain a lot of carbs. You will burn this type of food quickly and feel hungry again after a few hours. Eggs make an excellent breakfast since they are a good source of protein and will help you stay full until the next meal.
    Consuming healthy carbohydrates is an effective way to lose weight. Processed foods like pastas and cookies are considered bad carbs and it's typically a good idea to stay away from those. Combining a workout plan with a steady intake of healthy carbs like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts is a great way to lose weight.
    Even if you're in a fast-food restaurant, and are stuck with choices like greasy burgers, you can still take small steps to ensure you are taking in fewer calories. Order a large cheeseburger, take off the bun and cheese, and eat the patty. Dropping the cheese and bun will take a couple hundred calories off the 513-calorie total, and since the beef patty is all protein and fat (no carbs), you'll be no less full than if you had eaten the bun.
    If you're trying to lose weight, avoid energy drinks because they are packed with carbs and excess caffeine. Instead, eat a piece of fruit for energy, this is healthier and can help you reduce your weight.
    Many new diets involve completely eliminating carbohydrates from your diet in order to lose weight. From a nutritional standpoint, this is not the best idea. We all need carbs to function properly, especially athletes. Carbs provide the long term energy needed to compete in sports, so don't cut down on them if you are physically active.
    Eating a high fiber diet can help you lose weight and keep Diabetes Type II away. It also will help your gastrointestinal system keep in the best shape it can be in. Make sure to eat things that are high in fiber and low in carbs, like beans.
    As you can see, weight loss is just as simple as knowing what to do and following through. With these tips, you know everything you need to know about how to make a weight loss plan and stick to it. Soon, you'll be looking great and buying a smaller size of clothes.
    About author: Dr. PJ Prakash has a Ph.D. in Nutrition from the Univ. of Rhode Island (USA).
    (Courtesy: India-West)

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