While everyone is scared about not getting enough protein, most dieters are equally scared about getting TOO MANY carbohydrates. So let’s take a look at proper carbohydrate intake when using the Easy Veggie Meal Plans to lose weight.

The FIRST rule is to build your diet based around fruits and vegetables.

Not only are they loaded with fiber, but also with vitamins and minerals. The fiber in fruits and veggies give you long lasting energy throughout the day, rather than a spike and crash energy level like processed carbohydrates from a box. Plus, fruits and vegetables are low in calories and easy for the body to digest.

Of course, there are many vegetarian carbohydrates to AVOID, including white flour breads and pasta, white processed rice, crackers, cookies, and soda. All of those are refined foods, meaning they have been stripped of many nutrients and fiber.

As a result, refined foods contain a lot of calories per serving and do NOT fill you up. Plus, they often have more sugar and even trans fats added to them, making them not only unhealthy but also fattening.

So stick to fruits, vegetables, and un-refined whole grain products. This will give you lots of fiber, and fiber helps keep you full and has many health benefits. Fiber helps lower risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, heart disease, constipation and colon cancer just to name a few.

There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble:

Soluble fiber absorbs water creating a gel like substance while being digested. It helps you feel full longer, yet is easy to digest.

Insoluble fiber doesn’t absorb water and it stays intact as it passes through the intestines to help with regular bowel movements.

Fiber Examples:
Soluble fiber sources include oat bran and nuts, while insoluble fiber includes most fruit peels and vegetables. As fiber passes through the intestines it acts as a “broom” and picks up toxins and fats. It can absorb up to 100 times it weight, and helps lower cholesterol.

Fiber intake has been associated with a lower risk of colon cancer as well.

Carbohydrate Summary:

The carbohydrates you’ll eat on the Easy Veggie Meal Plans are NOT evil. In fact, you’ll be able to eat a lot of carbohydrates – about 50% of total calories – and you’ll still lose weight and get rid of belly fat.

Just make sure to avoid processed foods from a bag or a box at all times – with the exception of the odd treat – and you’ll get slim on a “Good-Carb” diet!

Kardena Pauza

Author of EasyVeggieMealPlans.com