The Word on Weightloss

Now that you know the basics on carbohydrates, what they’re made of and how they’re processed through your body, it’s time to start eating them again! Just kidding!

But, hopefully I didn’t scare you. Carbohydrates are a suggested and healthy part of your diet, providing you with the energy you need to get through your day. In fact, the US Department of Agriculture's food pyramid strongly suggests carbohydrates are important, if not necessary, to include in your daily diet plan.

There are two different types of carbohydrates out there; so which one is best for you?

To define this, let’s review what a carbohydrate actually is:

• Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for your body and come from the plant-based foods that you eat.
• The way that carbohydrates work is simple, you can either use their energy right away or your body can convert them into fat to use later. Carbohydrates should be a part of your weight loss plan since they’ll give you the energy you need to get you through those fat burning workouts you’ll be doing.

Carbohydrates come in two forms, simple and complex, respectively named for the process it takes for your body to digest them. Both types are good for you, but complex carbohydrates should make up most of your carbohydrate intake solely because they require more work and take longer for your body to break down. This slower process is excellent for you because as the carbohydrates are broken down, slowly into your bloodstream, they will provide you with a more consistent level of energy throughout the day, avoiding those nasty “highs and lows.”

According to some dietitians, you should be getting 50 to 60 percent of your daily calories from carbohydrates. To keep things simple, I always try to eat a complex carbohydrate with every meal and usually every snack. This doesn’t mean that a complex carbohydrate should be at the center of each of your meals, but it is important that you incorporate them into your whole balanced diet.

Here’s a list of excellent complex carbohydrates:

• Whole grains (oats, bulgur wheat,ect.)
• Whole-wheat and whole-grain bread (make sure it says 100% whole-grain)
• White or brown rice
• Fruits and vegetables
• Beans, especially lentils and dried peas
• Whole-grain cereals with low sugar content
• Sweet potatoes and white potatoes (in moderation)

All of these suggested complex carbohydrates should be consumed in moderation. Also, if you’re choosing a cereal make sure you read the nutrition information on the side of the box. For years I was eating cereal that I thought had a good complex carbohydrate make-up, but, as it turns out, it was full of unnecessary sugars. The same goes for the pre-packaged hot oat cereals. I know they’re easy to carry with you on the go to the office, but be careful. Instead, buy a whole package of quick or old-fashioned oats and mix in your favorite spices and Stevia for flavor that you control. The very best way to eat any complex carbohydrate is in their natural form, without excess butter, salt or unnecessary seasonings.

Start your day off on the right food with this recipe from Tosca Reno: Crock-Pot Porridge. It's a great recipe for busy families since it's made the night before and cooks while you sleep!