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Dietary carbs are a cause of concerns for weight watchers because they happen to be the main culprit when it comes to gaining the extra flab. Although carbohydrates give you the energy you need, too many of them do more harm than good. Foods high in them specifically refined and processed ones, convert into sugars quickly, and show up as inches and pounds eventually. Cutting them, therefore, remains the top priority. However, this is easier said than done, particularly if you love your pizzas, pasta, pastries, and pies. Still, there are some smart ways you can limit them without killing your taste buds. Here are the ones you can try.
Limit refined bread and grains
The worst you can do at the start of your day is having toast for your breakfast. Even if you want to have bread, ditch the refined variant, and stick to whole grain. Anything that is refined tends to be high in simple carbohydrates and low in fiber, both of which don’t do much for your weight loss initiatives. Replace your morning toast with fresh fruit and vegetable salad and a bowl of wholegrain cereal. You will certainly see the results sooner than you expect.
Remember that sugar is carbs
When you think of carbs, you seldom associate them with sugar, which unfortunately is the biggest culprit. Limiting refined white sugar is the key and this is best done by steering clear of desserts, jams, marmalades, and sugar-laden drinks. If you have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of delicious natural alternatives in fresh fruits. For drinks, try options like coconut water and fresh lime water.
Look for low carb snacks
If you are a foodie, you would surely want to fill in the gaps between meals with hearty snacks. But you need not pile up weight with processed ones like cookies and crackers. A fistful of nuts and seeds is a great anytime snack that offers a zero-carb energy boost. Or you may wrap up your favorite veggies in Keto Tortillas to create a recipe that keeps you fit yet tastes great. Boil a few eggs and stock them up in your refrigerator. Peel them and toss in a salad to create another amazing low-carb snack.
Go high on protein
Another smart way to lower your carbohydrate intake without compromising with taste is by going high on protein-rich foods. Probiotic curd and yogurt make great replacements for bread and pasta. The best ones to have are natural, unflavored variants because these are zero-sugar as well. Settle for lean proteins like eggs, tofu, white-fleshed fish, beans, peas, and low-fat cottage cheese. These foods are satiating and keep you filled for longer, so you won’t crave for any extra carbs.
Apart from cutting down on carbohydrates, you also need to be judicious about timing their intake. Even if you need to have some carb-rich foods during the day, have them early because you will get plenty of time to burn them away. Remember that weight loss and good health are all about eating smart, not eating less!