Do Carbohydrates Contribute to Weight Gain?

 

Do Carbohydrates Contribute to Weight Gain?There have been lots of myths in the world of dieting and fitness. In some cases they can be true, but only under specific circumstances. For example, one of the most common myths is associated with consuming carbohydrates and weight loss i.e. try to avoid carbohydrates, in order to lose weight. This is true, because they can contribute to weight gain, but only if you eat them at large quantities and do not perform any physical activity to burn them. In fact carbohydrates are very important nutrients, which our body needs in order to function properly.

There are some diet myths, which unfortunately if you adhere to them, it can cause more harm than good, and may not help you to make any progress in your weight loss attempts. So the best way is to be well – informed before making any drastic change into your diet regimen, or fitness routine.

Do Carbohydrates Necessarily Lead to Fat Gain?

According to some opinions, those who want to lose weight, should avoid foods high in carbohydrates like: bread, rice, pasta, cereals, beans, fruits, potatoes etc. But on other hand whole foods like oat, whole grain bread and fruits are recommended as a necessary part of a healthy eating plan.

In reality, the gain and the loss of weight depends on the overall daily calorie intake and the amount of calories you will burn throughout the day. Therefore, if taken in moderation and with regular exercising, carbohydrates should not be a problem, if you are trying to lose excess body weight. Carbohydrates as an important nutrient and an essential energy source, are necessary for the maintaining of a balanced diet. And they can only become an obstacle to your diet, if eaten in large quantity or when consumed in combination with fat, for example a slice of bread covered with butter, margarine, or mayonnaise.

Tips and Advices

1.   Check the balance and plan carefully your daily calorie intake, eat carbohydrates in moderation.
2.  Start by reducing them slowly and gradually. There is no need of any harsh changes to your diet. Modify your carbs – intake gradually to support weight loss and to let the body get accustomed easily.
3. Try not to exclude them completely. Carbs will make you feel full longer. Otherwise, most of the time you will feel hunger, which may end up in eating large meal portions to satisfy your cravings. This will only add more calories and can contribute to weight gain.
4. Make smarter and healthier food choices like: whole grains, beans, cereals, fruits, and vegetables.
5. All carbohydrates are not equal, the mentioned above foods are sources of “good” complex carbohydrates, while products like sugar and white flour are very high in carbs. Avoid also white pasta, white bread and white rice as these are from the same group and high in carbohydrate content.
6. Try to stay away from all kinds of processed carbs: high-fat, high-salt and highly sugared processed carbohydrates.
7. Artificial flavored juices and sweetened soft drinks, usually contain additional amounts of sugar and are best avoided.
8. As a general recommendation, it is better to eat carbs in the earlier hours of the day, as it gives energy and the body has plenty of time to burn them off before the end of the day.

In short, carbohydrates and weight loss are not mutually excluded terms. Carbohydrates are one of the main energy sources for the body. This energy is not only needed to perform physical work, but it is essential for the proper function of the body organs and for internal body processes as well. If you exclude the carbohydrates from your eating plan, then you will lack the energy and power to execute your fitness program. Therefore, you do not need to avoid them completely, a good advice is to consume carbohydrates at moderation, and to provide them from healthier food choices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6424884
Posted under Live healthy life by Live healthy life on Monday 18 July 2011 at 2:48 pm