#complex carbs

Are carbs really the enemy if you want to become a Fit Girl? 💀 There are a lot of myths out there about carbs, but don't let these misconceptions prevent you from eating some of your favorite snacks.

Carbs make you fat - False. Eating too many calories (of any food) will lead to weight gain, but carbohydrates themselves are not the enemy when it comes to getting fit.

All carbs are bad - False. There are two main types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbs such as white breads and pastas🍝 can be easy to over consume, so try to limit your intake of these foods. However, complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes🍠, whole grain bread, brown rice and quinoa provide essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy lifestyle!

Carbohydrates should always be avoided when trying to lose weight – False. It's important for us all (no matter our fitness goals) to get an adequate amount of carbohydrates in our diet since they provide energy for our bodies. If you do need or want to lower your carbohydrate intake, focus on cutting out processed foods that contain added sugars🍩 instead of cutting out carbs as a food group altogether.

Simple and complex carbohydrates each provide different benefits. Simple carbohydrates get broken down quickly by the body and provide a quick energy boost that usually doesn't last very long. Complex carbohydrates🥦 on the other hand take longer to digest and can provide sustained energy.

Eating the right kind of carbs is important for a healthy diet but there's no need to swear off carbs altogether! Eating a balanced meal with some complex carbohydrates will give you the energy you need to stay fit and healthy all day long. So don't let the myths about carbs get you down.

Why Carbs Aren’t Your Enemy 

Carbs have been seen as the main culprit for weight gain and obesity for a long time. If you want to know why you need carbs to perform better in and outside of the gym, check out the article 

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Posted by Suzanne Jording-williamson – Looking for healthy recipes, meal prep/cooking tips, nutritional tips, and health benefits of many foods and ingredients. Check out our nutrition section #eatclean #healthy #Weightloss

When it comes to dieting, lose the fads. The single most effective way to lose weight and maintain health is by making lasting lifestyle changes. Clean eating is a lifestyle that puts the boot to processed, packaged foods dripping with salt, sodium, and unpronounceable ingredients. It focuses instead on natural, nutrient-packed foods that let your body run the way it’s supposed to. Change how you look and feel with our clean eating tips.

Do eat four to six small meals a day. Smaller, more frequent meals will keep your blood sugar levels stable and will increase your metabolism. And, because the meals keep the tummy satisfied throughout the day, you’re less likely to turn into a pantry-raiding snack monster.

Don’t skip breakfast. Never. Ever. Your morning meal establishes healthy metabolism throughout day. What’s more, if you skip it, you’ll likely find yourself consuming larger quantities of food at later meals.

Do drink. Water, that is. Drink at least four to six glasses of H2O every day to keep the body hydrated. Water also helps the stomach feel full, making you less likely to give in to unhealthy snack attacks. For a refreshing twist on this go-to drink, try Morning Lemon & Mint Water.

Don’t drink too much alcohol. Whether it’s wine or beer, alcohol offers only empty calories and no nutritional value. If you’re going to enjoy alcohol, save it for special occasions.

Do keep clean eating snacks on hand. Whether the day is filled with the kids’ sports events or running errands for an elderly parent, it’s easy to give in to the bad snack temptation. Stay on your clean eating track by packing up healthy snacks in advance.

Don’t sabotage yourself with sugar. Excess sugar is linked to a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and inflammation. Packaged and processed foods often flood the body with unneeded sugar. Even a product that sounds healthy, like store-bought applesauce, often contains too much refined sugar. Instead, satisfy a sweet tooth with natural sugars, like those found in a whole apple.

Do get very veggie. Vegetables deliver nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber.

Don’t serve super-sized portions. Even if you’re eating a clean diet, it will be hard to lose weight eating portions fit for a sumo champ.

Do combine lean protein and complex carbs at each meal. This clean eating one-two punch decreases insulin spikes and maintains energy levels. The combo also acts as a natural appetite suppressant, helping you feel fuller longer. Pair Chicken Pot Roast with your favorite salad topped with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, or red wine vinegar.

Don’t go into the week without a meal plan. Can’t answer the question, “what’s for dinner tonight?” Be a planner. Decide on a week’s worth of clean eating recipes ahead of time so that you don’t get stuck feeding the family a boxed meal containing processed or powdered who-knows-what.

From planning clean eating recipes to watching what you drink, you have the power to change how your body looks and feels.  Take your first step today!

Complex Carbohydrates by @ricklondoncartoons