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It’s time to start getting serious about your resolutions, especially if you’re looking to get in shape for 2019. Experts say that your diet is the most important factor when it comes to successful weight loss, which is why it’s recommended to eliminate any unhealthy, refined carbs from your meals and swap them for nutrient-rich complex carbs instead!
“Carbohydrates combined with other nutrients in a well-balanced diet can work together effectively to help promote successful weight loss,” says Tessa Prior-Pullins, one of the lead dietitians for BistroMD. “In fact, a successful weight loss plan needs to include carbohydrates in your diet, otherwise your metabolism won’t burn fat effectively.”
Not sure which carbs are the bad ones? Here are four that experts say you should steer clear of to meet your fitness goals and kick-start weight loss:
Whole Wheat
“Refined wheat, aka white flour, contains no nutrients and leaves your body hungrier than when you sat down to eat,” says Dr. Marizelle Arce, a naturopathic doctor. You probably think that you’re avoiding white flour and only eating the healthy stuff. Really pay attention to food labels. Just because a food is described as “whole wheat” or “seven-grain” doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Any food that lists “wheat flour” or “unbleached enriched flour” and has less than 4 grams of fiber is pure weight gain promoting junk.
Instant Oatmeal
“People who eat good carbs like oatmeal have more energy, reduced sugar cravings, lose more weight and even have more regular bowel movements”, says Dr. Jennifer Stagg, a naturopathic physician. But instant doesn’t qualify because it’s been refined and lost most of its health benefits. Steel-cut oats retain the entire grain and that provides ample fiber to get your body moving. Yes. We mean moving waste out and using energy to get it done.
Dried Fruits
“These are a huge calorie pit,” says Andrea Wise, a Chicago-based trainer and nutrition coach. You probably add dried fruits to salad, oatmeal and yogurt, or snack on a handful. But they contain so much natural sugar that your calorie and carb intake can skyrocket. Instead opt for berries. They’re packed with fiber and are low in carbs.
Bagels
Bagels are ubiquitous. Maybe we love them because they’re always available? You need to ditch bagels like a cute guy with bad intentions – even the whole-wheat variety. “Eating a bagel actually makes you hungrier because there is nothing in it to fill you up,” says Stacy Goldberg, a nutritionist at savorfull. “The calorie count in a bagel is astronomical!”
