The Challenge with Carbs

If you feel like carbs keep messing up your weight loss efforts, you may be a carb addict.

And you’re not alone. Carbs are one of the hardest things to cut out of your diet, especially the bad carbs like refined pasta and white bread.

The problem with carbs is that they cause an immediate spike in your blood glucose (or blood sugar) level. This spike only lasts for a short time, because processed carbohydrates are digested quickly. Once they’re digested, you experience a major drop in blood glucose, which leaves you feeling hungry for more in a very short period of time.

These kinds of fluctuations in your blood glucose level can literally wreak havoc on your weight loss goals. Sudden drops in blood glucose are when cravings are at their worse. This is when you’re most likely to go for junk food – and more often than not, that means more carbs!

What’s so bad about carbs?

Even if you’re sticking to healthy, whole grain carbs, eating too many of them will still lead to weight gain. Generally speaking, carbs come with extra calories and are more quickly converted to fat deposits if not used up.

Is carb cutting safe?

Cutting out carbs completely is not safe and can actually be very hard on your metabolism. Your body needs some carbs for energy production and the proper digestion of other foods, particularly proteins.

But reducing carbs is an important step in weight loss, especially if you’re trying to tone up and lean out.

Let’s look at a diet specifically designed for carb addicts. If you have a problem giving up carbs, or find your cravings to be really intense, this is the diet plan for you. It’s designed to reduce cravings and keep you feeling full for longer!

The Carb Addicts Diet Plan

First, here are some basic principles for cutting down on carbs and controlling cravings:

1. Eat more protein. Foods high in protein will make you feel full for longer without those deadly spikes in blood glucose. Lean proteins are your best bet.
2. Eat more vegetables. Vegetables contain carbs as well, but they’re the healthiest kind you can get. Eating nutritionally dense vegetables will also help keep your blood glucose levels in check.
3. Eat healthy carbs, and eat them early. When you do go with carbs, always choose whole grains. They won’t cause the same spikes in blood glucose. But when you do eat them, eat them earlier in the day – you’ll be more likely to burn them off!

Now let’s look at some perfect meal ideas for carb addicts. If you’re fighting a carb addiction of your own, give these options a try!

Breakfast – Breakfast should contain some whole grain carbs, a good source of protein, and a good source of fiber. Here are some ideas:

• 2 poached eggs and 1 slice of whole grain toast
• Bowl of oatmeal with banana and sprinkle of brown sugar
• Low-fat Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries and ¼ cup of granola
• Protein shake with Gaspari Nutrition Myofusion delicious vanilla, banana, and soy milk

Lunch – Lunch should mirror breakfast, with a few less carbs. Here’s what to go for first:

• ½ can of tuna with a bit of low-fat mayo on 1 slice of whole grain toast
• Chicken breast with ½ cup of quinoa and some steamed veggies
• Leafy green salad with NOW Almonds and a drizzle of the metabolism-boosting Nutiva Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1/2 cup of whole grain pasta with grilled chicken breast and edamame, drizzled in olive oil and lemon

Dinner – Dinner should include only carbs from vegetables. This is when your carb intake should be at its lowest:

• Chicken breast, roasted veggies, and mixed greens salad with NOW Almonds
• Salmon with olive oil and lemon, asparagus, and low-fat cottage cheese
• Chicken breast, romaine lettuce, and grilled red peppers on a whole grain wrap, with a mixed greens salad on the side

Snacks – Use some of the same principles from these meals for your snacks. Go with things like nuts, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, or hummus and carrots.

All of these food ideas will help keep your blood glucose levels stable, reducing those deadly carb cravings! Remember, you can beat your carb addiction!

Have any questions or feedback about this Carb Addicts Diet Plan? Please leave a comment below…

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