Maybe you have just had a baby and are trying to get rid of that persistent baby weight. Maybe, you are just trying to better your lifestyle for something a little more healthier and favorable. Or perhaps, you are just aiming to switch to a low carb type of diet. Whatever reason you have, it is not uncommon to want to lose weight at one point or another in your life. While losing weight and aiming for a healthier lifestyle might take a lot of determination and persistence, it can be attained. Today, we are going to take a look at some high carb foods to avoid if you are aiming towards a healthier lifestyle.
Why Would Anyone Want to Avoid High Carb Foods?
There are many reasons why a low-carb diet is a great diet. For starters, going on a low-carb diet is a great way to help you lose weight if that is your goal. If you have other diseases such as diabetes, a low-carb diet can be incredibly helpful in helping you control your illness. Whatever reason you may have for wanting to go on a low-carb diet, one thing is for certain. If done the right way, avoiding high carb foods can be a great way on setting yourself to a path of positive health and wellness. Let's take a look at some of the most notorious high carb foods to avoid if you are trying to aim for a low-carb diet.
1. Bread
It is no secret that bread is chock full of carbs. The unfortunate thing is that bread revolves around a variety of meals. And for many cultures, bread is a staple part of the diet. Part of the reason it is so hard to get away from bread is the fact that it comes in all shapes and sizes (literally). Bread rolls, bagel, flatbread, you name it. Bread is everywhere and simply difficult to avoid.
What to Eat Instead
Bread is a high carb food to avoid. But if you cannot avoid it, then the best thing that you can do is make some adjustments. Instead of opting for white bread, it's better to stray towards whole wheat bread instead. White bread is essentially bread that is made out of a grain that has been bleached of its nutritional value. However, with wheat bread, although you will be getting carbs, you will still be getting beneficial nutrients that are found inside the wheat.
2. Cereal
For the most part, many sugary breakfast cereals are jam-packed with carbs. It's not only the sugary breakfast cereals that do damage. Some of the healthy cereals have a high carb count as well. If you typically go with oatmeal for breakfast, many times that might not be that much better. For example, a half a cup of steel cut oats has about 30 grams of carbs in it. Only five of which are fiber. If you are looking for high carb foods to avoid, then you will want to start off by examining what you are eating for breakfast first.
What to Eat Instead
If you are looking for a great way to start off your day carb-free, then you will want to aim for eggs instead. A boiled egg contains less than 1 gram of carbs. Not only that, but eggs contain essential nutrients that are necessary for your diet. Finally, eggs are a great way to give you the protein and energy you need for the day. If you are looking for high carb foods to avoid, reach for eggs instead.
3. Fruits
Yes, your fruits and vegetables are essential parts of a healthy diet but unfortunately, some fruits are high in carbs. The good news is, a high intake of fruit and vegetable in your diet have successfully been linked to lower cancer and heart disease risk. The downside, however, is that many fruits tend to be high in carbs. If you are aiming for a low-carb diet, then you will want to consider the fruits you eat carefully. Some of the primary high carb foods in your food group to avoid are bananas, mangoes, dates, and pears. Each of these contains over 20 grams of carbs. While staying away from these foods entirely may not be the best thing for your diet, limiting their consumption is.
What to Eat Instead
If your goal is to avoid high carb foods, then you may want to opt for berries instead. Berries tend to be lower in sugar, yet higher in fiber than most other fruits. A serving of about a half a cup of berries can easily substitute any of the fruits listed above. By doing this, you can still enjoy the sweet taste of fruit without impeding on your low-carb diet.
4. Starchy Vegetables
While vegetables are typically good for your health, starchy vegetables are a little more frowned upon. The great thing about vegetables is that they generally are chock full of fiber which can help with weight loss and other things such as your blood sugar levels. The downside is if you are indulging in a high starch vegetable, then the carb to fiber ratio might not be as beneficial. If you are looking for some high carb foods to avoid when it comes to vegetables, then you will want to start off with corn. One cup of corn will typically contain 41 grams of carbs. Only five of those are fiber. If you are following a low-carb diet, then you will want to avoid corn. Potatoes are also notorious for being starchy vegetables. One medium potato typically contains about 37 grams of carbs and only four of those carbs are fiber.
What to Eat Instead
If you are trying to avoid starchy vegetables then you will want to opt for these vegetables instead:
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Avocados
- Tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Radishes
- Eggplant
- Cabbage
- Artichokes
5. Pasta
if you are pasta lover, then you might want to take some time to digest this news. Although pasta is incredibly versatile and relatively cheap, it is also incredibly high in its carb content. One cup of pasta will typically contain over 43 grams of carbs. with only about three of those carbs being fiber, it is clear that this is one of the primary high carb foods to avoid. There's no way around the sad news that you will have to keep pasta off your diet if you are aiming for a low-carb diet. The good news is, you can make some adjustments.
What to Eat Instead
If you are in the mood for pasta, the good news is there is a better alternative. Opt for spiralized zucchini noodles instead. You may have heard of these noodles commonly referred to as zoodles. These zucchini noodles are not only made out of a beneficial low carb vegetable, but they can be incredibly tasty if prepared the right way. Not only that, but they make for a great quick and easy dieting meal for busy moms. A great brand of zoodles to try are the Miracle Noodle Shirataki Spinach Angel Hair Gluten Free zoodles. Head over to your nearest Krogers to try them the next time you are craving pasta.
6. Sweetened Yogurt
Yogurt can be incredibly versatile and incredibly beneficial to any diet. The downside is not all yogurt is made equal. Some sweetened yogurts are more like a dessert than an actual dietary benefit. If you find yourself opting for sweetened yogurt, whether you realize it or not, you are probably reaching your daily carb limit. One serving of nonfat sweetened yogurt can contain up to 47 grams of carbs. With an amount like that, you can expect to find more carbs in sweetened yogurt than in a single serving of ice cream
What to Eat Instead
If you love having yogurt as a part of your breakfast, then consider choosing plain Greek yogurt instead. A great brand to go with is the Wallaby Organic Greek Plain Low-Fat Yogurt. Top off your Greek yogurt with berries, then you should be well underway to sticking to a moderate carb limit. Some berries that we suggest sprinkling on top include blackberries or raspberries.
7. Cake and Dessert
You don't need us to tell you this. At this point in our society, it is common knowledge that cakes and dessert are chock-full of carbs. For starters, cakes and desserts usually lack any beneficial nutrients. Along with that, they are notorious for their carb content and are undoubtedly high carb foods to avoid if you are aiming for a low-carb diet.
What To Eat Instead
If you have to have your fix of sweetness, the go for a healthier treat instead. Slice a whole avocado in 4th and sprinkle the top with a dash of salt. This is a great tasty treat to top off an evening with. Not only is it healthy, but you will be getting plenty of the nutrients that are beneficial for your body.
Final Thoughts On High Carb Foods To Avoid
A low-carb diet may not be for everyone. One thing for is for certain, however, opting for a low-carb diet can do wonders for your body. Not only is it a great way to lose weight, but it is also a great way for you to monitor your overall health. The next time you find yourself in the kitchen, consider swapping out some of these high carb foods to avoid with options that are more friendly to a low-carb diet.
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