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Carbohydrates
By Christina | May 29, 2009
The Atkins Diet, South Beach Diet and countless other diets since have been singing the benefits of low carbohydrate diets for optimum weight loss for years. Arguably, short term weight loss can be successfully achieved through keeping carbohydrates to a minimum. But, the difficulty of staying on such restrictive diets over time make the likelihood of long term success of these diets less likely.
The problem with these no-carbohydrate diets is there is no differentiation between good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates. They lump the white processed foods with whole grains, fruits, and many vegetables saying all are a no-no if you want to lose weight.
There is more to weight loss than doing away with an entire food group. Complex carbohydrates are a very important part of a healthy eating plan. They fuel your body and give it the energy it needs to function properly. This is especially true if you exercise. Endurance athletes have known about the value of good quality carbohydrates for years. Their performance depended directly on their body being properly fueled.
You don’t have to be a professional or amateur athlete to benefit from incorporating healthy carbohydrates into your daily diet. Because daily moderately intense exercise is recommended for everyone for good health, it is imperative that you are eating food designed specifically to give your body energy to be able to exercise efficiently and effectively.
As with everything in diet and fitness, it is a good idea to exercise moderation when eating carbohydrates, even the good ones. For a great pre-workout smoothie, try a scoop of chocolate flavored whey protein, a tablespoon of natural peanut butter, and half of a banana and ice. Blend this together and you will feel energized to exercise to your full potential. Scrambled egg whites, a slice of 100% whole grain bread, and a cup of berries is an excellent source of fuel for your morning work-out.
If you skimp on good quality carbs in your diet, you will be exercising like a car running on empty. Add healthy complex carbohydrates to your meals in conjunction with lean protein, fruits, and vegetables and you will be able to exercise intensely and for longer periods of time.
Topics: Nutrition |
