Weight Loss Diets - Know Your Carbohydrates

Weight loss diets are a fad in today’s world. With irregular eating habits and sedentary lifestyle at home and office, weight has become a major problem with most people. Today, more and more people are trying various methods to achieve fast weight loss. Eating healthy is of prime importance for people who are trying to lose weight.

The first thing to understand is that you are what you eat. Hence the nutrients ingested gain importance while on a weight loss diet. The most significant of this is carbohydrates since it is notorious for causing weight gain.

What Are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are a type of sugar that is the primary source of fuel for the body. Carbohydrates are broken down by the digestive system into glucose which reaches the cells with the help of the hormone insulin, secreted by the pancreas. These can be simple carbohydrates or complex carbohydrates. Simple carbs are found in white bread, candies, chocolates, table sugar etc while oatmeal, potatoes, whole wheat bread largely constitute of complex carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates And Weight Gain

It is a common belief that intake of carbohydrates leads to weight gain. This is not always the case. Weight gain occurs due to the intake of excess calories. These calories can be contributed by carbohydrates, proteins and fats. A simple diet that includes all the nutrients in the right proportion does not lead to excess weight gain.

Those interested in planning a healthy weight loss program should begin by including fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and low fat dairy products. Such a diet would definitely lead to fast weight loss and maintenance, in addition to reduced risk of chronic diseases.

Consumption Of Carbohydrates While On A Diet

Carbohydrates should be consumed in moderation while on a weight loss diet. Complex carbohydrates should be consumed in the right proportion while simple carbohydrates should be completely avoided. The reason for this is that simple carbs are digested quickly leading to an increase in insulin production in order to assimilate the sugar and storage in the form of fat. Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, are digested slowly and hence do not lead to insulin spike.

There is a common misconception that if carbohydrate intake is totally avoided, weight loss would be hastened. This is not true. In fact, in reality, this would lead to weakening of the immune system and even damage the normal metabolic processes of the body. Thus one should not stop eating carbohydrates. The intake can be restricted to a healthy amount but it should never be taken off the diet.

While on a diet, consume complex carbohydrates before performing aerobic activities. This gives the body the confidence to burn fat since it has reliable carbohydrates as an energy source.  The body recognizes this and acts accordingly. Weight loss diets should include this vital source of energy in calculated amounts which should be taken in at the right time. This disciplined intake of carbohydrates greatly aids in weight loss in less than the estimated time.  Embarking on a weight loss diet should be done in consensus with your physician.