Quick weight loss - the effect of carbohydrates

December 5, 2008 | 2 Comments

One of the common misconceptions about weight loss diet is regarding carbohydrates. Most of us think that carbohydrates are bad, and that if we can reduce carbohydrate intake, or even better, totally avoid carbohydrates, then weight loss will become easier. However, that is not entirely true.

Just like cholesterol, carbohydrates can also be grouped into two types: the good and the bad.

Of course, you would want to avoid the ‘bad’ carbohydrates, but let the ‘good’ ones (aka the healthy carbohydrates) provide the nutrition and energy your body needs. Consuming the ‘good’ carbohydrates will assist in quick weight loss.

The Bad Carbohydrates

What food contains bad carbohydrates? Processed foods!!

Examples: breakfast cereals, chips, white bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits, candies, etc.

While the foods (or the ingredients that made up the foods) do contain some nutrition in their natural state, much of their nutrition value is lost going through several food processing stages. What remain are empty calories that only make you fat and nothing else.

Furthermore, processed foods contain high amount of salt and sugar. Sugar is rich in calorie content. The more sugar you consume, the more weight you gain for sure! While salt does not have effect on body fat, high consumption of salt does cause temporary weight gain as it causes the body to retain water. More importantly, a high-salt diet increases your risk of high blood pressure.

The Good Carbohydrates

What are good carbohydrates then? Good carbohydrates can usually be found in natural foods, such as raw fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, wholemeal pasta, wholegrain wheat, etc.

These foods contain good carbohydrates; they are not the ones that would make you fat. Unlike the carbohydrates found in processed foods, these are slow carbohydrates which take a long time to digest. In addition, they also contain high amount of fiber. Fiber will keep you full for a long time, and is a natural way to suppress your appetite.

So, not all carbohydrates are bad. Choosing the right carbohydrates to consume will help to result in quick weight loss. :)

Should you eat more carbohydrates or proteins to lose weight? Determine your metabolic type first. Take the metabolic typing test in the Diet Solution Program to find out if you are a Carbohydrate type, a Protein type, or Mixed type. You will understand better why certain foods are ideal for your body, so that you can make the best choices for your quick weight loss meal plan.

Posted by Valen | Filed Under Weight loss diet