The Surprising Truth About Carbohydrates And Weight Loss

The issue with carbohydrates and weight loss is that one minute we’re told that we should be avoiding them and then the next minute we’re told that we should be eating more of them. Basically, carbohydrates are classed as either simple or complex. Your first thought might be that simple carbohydrates are better for your body. They are broken down simply, so doesn’t it make sense that these would be healthy for you? Actually, the opposite is true.

Let’s take a look at the difference between complex carbohydrates which are good to include in a healthy weight loss diet and simple carbohydrates which are best avoided.

The Surprising Truth About Carbohydrates And Weight Loss

Complex and simple carbohydrates are absorbed into your body in different ways. They are also digested differently. Think of simple carbohydrates as simple sugars. Simple carbohydrates are broken down quickly, and deliver no nutrition, just energy. Complex carbohydrates deliver lots of nutrients and minerals, as well as energy.

Complex carbohydrates have longer molecular chains. They should be part of a healthy weight loss diet because it takes your body a long time to break them down and absorb them. This leads to an even distribution of energy over a longer period of time, and a much longer feeling of fullness. Simple carbohydrates, like those delivered by refined sugar, enter your bloodstream immediately. They are processed quickly, have little nutritional value, and lead to fat storage, short spikes in energy and an energy crash.

Complex Carbohydrates And Weight Loss

Complex carbohydrates are important for a few reasons. As mentioned above, they are nutrient and mineral rich. They have all of the vitamins, phytonutrients and healthy, natural goodness your body needs to function properly.

They are usually also very high in dietary fibre. Fibre keeps your digestive system working properly, and helps you regulate a naturally healthy body weight. Complex carbs are energy rich, and deliver that energy consistently over a long period of time.

“Good” carbs promote proper sleep, boosted brain function and a healthy nervous system. In many cases, they are also low in calories, as opposed to unhealthy simple carbohydrates. Simply put, complex carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy weight loss diet because they deliver much-needed benefits that promote inner and outer overall health.

List of Complex Carbs for Weight Loss

The following list of good carbs includes some healthy complex carbohydrates you that should be part of a healthy eating weight loss plan.

• Quinoa
• Oats
• Broccoli
• Oatmeal
• Spinach
• Brown rice
• Cucumbers
• Peas
• Asparagus
• Beans
• Soy Milk
• Whole grain breads

List Of Bad Carbs To Avoid

Avoid or limit the following simple carbs. Your health and waistline will thank you.

• Sugar
• White carbohydrates – rice, bread, pasta
• Potatoes – technically a complex carbohydrate, they are treated like simple carbs in your body
• Desserts, pastries
• Artificial syrups
• Candy and cookies
• Soda and energy drinks

Confused With Carbohydrates And Weight Loss?

Depending on who you talk to and which program worked for certain people, some diets require low carbs, others claim that cutting carbs is not good for you, some claim you should go low fat, and others claim that being a vegetarian is the way to go. The truth is, there are overweight and slim people in all of those groups.

If you want to know exactly where you should be focusing your efforts to live a healthier lifestyle check out my free download Top 9 Things You Can Do For Your Health To Help You Live Longer. The choices you make about your lifestyle don’t mean that you and your loved ones have to live shorter lives.