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The Truth About Carbs

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Looking to drop a few or more pounds? Chances are you’ve heard the advice to “ditch the carbs.” But are carbohydrates, which are found in breads and grains. As well as fruit, vegetables, and milk products, really what’s holding you back from achieving your weight loss goals?

It depends. Scarfing down bowls of pasta or eating a large bagel every morning, doesn’t do anyone’s waistline a favor. Nor does eating protein-rich hamburgers and milkshakes. Ultimately, getting the scale to move downward is about how many calories you consume.

Then why does the buzz around reducing carbs to help make you a skinny Minnie persist? For one, low carbohydrate diets have a diuretic effect on the body. This means that the body will lose large amounts of water. One gallon of water weighs eight pounds. So, a large amount of weight can be lost following these plans, but it isn’t all fat mass. Also, when you restrict your carb intake, there isn’t a large amount of food left to choose from. So you’re actually restricting your total caloric intake without realizing it. Reducing calories—no matter what the source—results in weight loss.

Cutting Carbs

If you plan on cutting carbs, keep in mind that it can have negative side effects like raising cholesterol levels because many protein-rich and fatty foods contain saturated fats. You can also get high blood pressure due to the drastic decrease in fiber intake. Diets that are too high in protein cause the body to eliminate calcium during urination. This can lead to osteoporosis and may also strain the kidneys. Low carb diets can also cause diarrhea, constipation and headaches, and you may also feel sluggish and spaced out due to the decrease in glucose reaching the brain. Diabetics should be especially careful of low carb diets, as ketosis in diabetics can lead to serious side effects including coma and even death.

Carbs help in weight loss

On the positive side, weight loss can be achieved and maintained, even without giving up your favorite carbohydrates. A calorie is a calorie, regardless of the food it comes from. The formula for weight control is simple: take in more calories than you expend and you gain weight; take in fewer calories than you expend and you lose weight. Eating a balanced diet and controlling your portions of foods from all food groups, including whole grain carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, milk, protein, and fat will help you lose weight and keep it off while staying healthy!

Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, LDN, CPT, “America’s Belly Fat Fighter!” is a nationally recognized nutrition and fitness expert and author of the newly released “Belly Fat Diet for Dummies” well as the “Healthy ‘n Fit Pediatric Weight Management Program” and the “Healthy Resolutions Weight Management Program.” She has contributed her expertise to national media outlets such as the CBS Early Show, The Doctors, ABC News, CBS News, News 12, Fox News, Fitness Magazine, Consumer Reports, Chicago Tribune, and Prevention Magazine. She runs a private practice in NJ and frequently serves as a media spokesperson, nutrition consultant, and speaker.

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2 Comments

  1. Pingback: 5 Ways To Choose The Best Healthy Frozen Foods

  2. Pingback: 5 Healthy Carbs We Love - Fajar Magazine

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