Ok, so you’ve read about carb addiction. Now you’re ready to try and eat less carbs. With a little bit of planning and measuring, it’s easily achievable.
A diet rich in processed carbohydrates will upset the sugar level in your body. Eat a large amount of carbs in one sitting, and your blood sugar can rise considerably. Consistently eat a lot of processed carbs, and your body will flood your system with insulin, which in turn triggers fat storage.
AVOID EMPTY AND HIDDEN ARBOHYDRATES
If you’re used to eating a carbo-loaded dishes like spaghetti bolognaise, chilli with mounds of rice, a thickly laden pizza, or fried rice you’re in trouble. Also, lose the hidden carbs like fruit juice (choose the whole fruit instead) and sauces and dips.
Love your cereal, crackers, muffins, cake and cookies? Well, you’ve heard of empty carbs and these bring you not nearly enough goodness. It’s simple – AVOID refined flour, sugar and white rice, and you’re on the road to recovering from your carb addiction.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, YOUR BODY NEEDS ARBS
The reality is that your body needs carbs – just the right ones and in measured quantities. Your body needs around 45% of its daily calories from carbohydrates. Anything less than this simply isn’t good for your health.
WHAT ARE GOOD CARBOHYDRATES?
Good carbs are simple – nuts, beans, fruits, vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, potatoes), legumes and whole grains (such as brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, oats and barley). That’s not too hard, is it?
WHAT’S A CARBOHYDRATE SERVING SIZE?
You also need to know what is an actual serving size of carbohydrate is. Start measuring your carbs to keep them under control and at the recommended serving size.
CarbohydrateServing Size
Bread one slice
Pasta cooked, 1/2 cup
Rice cooked, 1/2 cup
Cereal 1 cup
Bagel 1/2 a bagel
Did you know that starchy vegetables are also carbs? Why yes they are! So you need to be keeping an eye on those as well.
CarbohydrateServing Size
Corn 1/2 cup
Carrot 1/2 cup
Potato 1/2 cup
Peas 1/2 cup
Pumpkin 1 cup
BREAK THE BAD CARB CYCLE
Ok, you’re ready to break the carb addiction cycle. It takes just three easy steps:
- Stop the bad carbs – avoid refined flour, sugar, and white rice
- Start the good carbs – whole grains, fruit, vegetables, beans and nuts
- Measure your good carbs – make sure you’re only eating the correct serving size
It’s a simple equation. Managing your carbs will mean your blood sugar will balance, your weight will steady, and your body will be a whole lot happier.
Struggling with carbs? Tell me about it in the comments below.