Don't Be Affraid of Carbs
If you have been around in the last ten years or so you know about the carbohydrate shortage. Famous diets became popular by advocating you cut out as many carbs as possible, which left a lot of people dreaming of plates of pasta and sandwiches with fresh, fluffy bread. Luckily, the carb shortage is over and, in fact, are starting to become quite popular if eaten right.
Pasta aisles are now stocked with a variety of healthy options including whole grain, protein packed, and omega 3 enriched. You can even find pastas that are made with alternatives to flour such as buckwheat. Carbohydrate foods have gotten a bad rap over the years when in fact they are very good for you and should be part of your daily meals. Grains, fruits, and vegetables are all sources of carbs and also a major source of vitamins and minerals. Carbohydrates feed your brain and provide energy to your body throughout the day. Top athletes notoriously eat a lot of pasta because it keeps them fueled up during strenuous activities. If you are not an athlete, you can still eat pasta but it has to be the right kind, at the right time, and the right amounts. Large amounts of pasta should not be eaten at night because your body does not have time to use all the energy unless you are very active in the evening. It is better if eaten at lunch, and in smaller portions. Make sure the pasta is made from whole grains so that it is full of fiber and is absorbed into your blood stream slower than that made from white flour. It takes your body longer to digest whole grains and it will also avoid finding yourself hungry an hour after you eat. It is also better to stay away from the creamy, light colored sauces for topping. Tomato based pasta sauce is very good for you and may even help fight cancer and other diseases. Research shows that those who eat whole grain, high fiber foods such as whole wheat pasta lose more weight than those who avoid it all together.
The good news is that you no longer have to be afraid of carbs. Although it is so ingrained in dieters minds that carbohydrates found in breads and pastas will do nothing but make you pop that top button on your jeans, it is absolutely not true. You just have to pick the right kind, and be mindful of your portion sizes and what you pair it with.
Your Comments
Got an Opinion?
Nutrition & Health Guide
Learn how to shed pounds and lead a healthy and nutritious lifestyle with Astro Nutrition's acclaimed Weight Loss Tips. Get your FREE copy of the Astro Easy Weight Loss eBook by signing up.
Recent Tweets
- Snacks in particular can be made in advance as a means of keeping you from overindulging... http://t.co/hT1aHtBb 7 weeks 4 days ago
- For weight loss, primrose oil also has much to offer... http://t.co/WNzsseLl 8 weeks 22 hours ago
- For those seeking to maintain lean muscle mass and to build muscle bulk, Glutamine is a perfect supplement... http://t.co/Vfq3wH98 8 weeks 2 days ago
Top Commentators
- Brian Kinkade (8)
- Bill Leighty (8)
- Michelle (8)
- Debbie Drummond (8)
- Kevin Koitz (8)
- Erica (7)
- Nancy Braun (5)
- Robert Doebler (5)
- Michelle Sterling (5)
- Dennis DeSouza (5)
Foodie Blog Roll