With all the Low carb, No carb, Atkins, Paleo and so on and so on weight loss diets going around, most people are understandably confused about carbs. How many they should eat, if any at all – especially when following a weight loss plan or when trying to lose stomach fat?
The deal is carbs are the No. 1 source of energy producing foods. Therefore we CANNOT leave them out of our diet. We believe that we need an array of carbs including grains, seeds and vegetables on a day to day basis.
So why are carbs important in reducing stomach fat? It is mainly due to the fibre content of these foods that aids in weight loss and losing tummy fat. Fibre helps in a number of ways, such as keeping you fuller so you tend to eat less calories in total and also taking longer to chew, giving your brain time to get the signal that you have had enough to eat.
A 2009 study in the journal ‘Appetite’ compared the satiety or fullness factor of apples, applesauce, and apple juice with added fibre before lunch. People who ate an apple before lunch ate 15% fewer calories than those who ate the applesauce or drank apple juice. This suggests that the fibre in the whole apple was more filling even when compared to the juice that had added fibre. Also in general people who eat more carbs, more fibre, and cereal in general, weigh less than those who eat less fibre, carbs, and cereal.
Try to consume a small portion of whole grain carbs at each main meal to increase your dietary fibre intake and aid in weight loss. These are 5 ideal carb choices to help reduce stomach fat.
Brown Rice – Brown rice is a wholegrain, and more nutritious than white rice as it contains more fibre, B vitamins and minerals such as manganese, selenium and magnesium. Organic Brown Rice is especially better for your as its grown without the use of any pesticides or harmful chemicals. Brown rice retains the bran and has a higher nutritional value than most other rices. The germ of whole rice also contains phytin, which helps expel toxins from the body.
Konjac Noodles – A great alternative to wheat pasta and noodles, Konjac is a vegetable and not really even a carb. Also known as ‘slim pasta’ it is essentially all fibre, therefore contains no fat, no sugar and no carbs. At only 44 kilojoules (6 to 10 calories) per 100 grams, low GI, Gluten Free, they really are a god send to ‘dieters’.
Organic Rolled Oats – Rolled Oats are naturally gluten free, but when cross contaminated with Rye, Barley and Wheat in farming or processing equipment, these grains become a gluten sensitive food. Rolled oats digest slowly, are packed with fibre and have little impact on your blood sugar. Oats are also a great source of manganese, selenium, vitamin B1, dietary fibre, magnesium, protein and phosphorus.
Oats, thanks to their high fibre profile, are also great for clearing the junk from your digestive system, including cholesterol, that would otherwise end up in the bloodstream. Oats can also help stabilise your blood sugar levels and help prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Look for organic natural oats when selecting the best type.
Quinoa – a great alternative to cous cous.. Quinoa is a seed and is considered a complete protein, because it contains all eight essential amino acids. Most grains are lacking in at least one amino acid, therefore this makes it a great protein source for vegans or vegetarians. Quinoa is also being tested in research laboratories as a possible way to curb hunger and alleviate protein malnutrition in underdeveloped countries. It goes great in salads, soups and stews and is a very stable good fat so you don’t have to worry about keeping it in the fridge.
Broccoli – A great non-starchy carb, broccoli contains many nutrients such as folate, soluble and insoluble fibre, vitamins C and A, and calcium, which are needed for numerous functions in the body.
A small study from 2012, including 81 people with diabetes in the group, ate 10g a day of enriched broccoli sprouts powder for four weeks, which caused a reduction in their levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood), both of which can cause cardiovascular disease. Another great reason why this carb can keep help you lose weight and keep you healthy.
Written by Elisha Danine – Natural Medicine Practitioner/Food Coach/Nutritionist
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