Pick The Right Carbs

Low carb diets are popular. But the truth is your body needs carbs. Carbs are converted into glucose ( blood sugar ) which feeds your cells and organs.  Chapatis, rice, idli, dosa, sugars, pasta, vegetables are few common sources of carbs. You can probably notice some of the above sources are healthier than the rest. Try to avoid carbs such as corn syrups, table sugar and sweeteners. These provide empty calories, leaving you craving for more.

There’s an easy way to judge whether or not your carbs are worth eating. The good carbs or the smart carbs as they are popularly known these days fall into at least one of these two groups:

• Rich in fiber:  Fiber is a part of plant food that can’t be digested. But it’s still good for us. It helps your stomach feel full faster. This prevents weight gain. It also prevents constipation. Most importantly a high fiber diet may help lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Certain fruits ( oranges, kiwi, berries )and green leafy vegetables, legumes ( beans, peas, peanuts ), brown rice, whole grains are all fiber rich foods. Try to get 20 - 35 grams of fiber every day.

• Multitaskers: Natural foods like fruits, vegetables and milk provides not just carbs but also a host of vitamins and minerals. Choose these multitasking carbs as your main source.

Adding fiber :

Here are some ways to get more fiber in your diet.

Select whole grain breads and pastas, and brown rice instead of white varieties.

Choose oat and other whole grain cereals.

Have a salad every day.

Sprinkle wheat bran over salads and yogurt.