|
Tip 5: Switch to Complex Carbohydrates Barb, Christine
Are you a Carbohydrate Addict? We all know it can be hard to give up white bread or your Lucky Charms, but just a few changes in your diet can make a huge difference!
Consuming complex carbohydrates is associated with: easier weight maintenance more energy
A journal of my ongoing quest to keep "Polyester pants" at bay! If you looked up "carbohydrate addict" in the dictionary there would probably have been a picture of me. I was addicted not only to anything sweet, but white breads, rolls, doughnuts, chips,..... the list goes and on. I could go through an entire bag of chips and still be hungry for more. I always felt horrible after one of my binges and blamed it on my lack of will power. How wrong I was! Once I started switching from "bad" carbs to "good" carbs, I found I felt satisfied. I didn't have the big energy lulls every day and my headaches went away. Managing my weight wasn't a constant battle anymore. As a Mom, I used to think I needed those things in the house for the "kids" and hubby". Of course, they didn't need it any more than I did. Once it was out of the house and they got over the initial whining, I found they started eating healthier snacks and were feeling a lot better, too. Read on to discover how " good " carbs can make a difference in your health and that of your family!
There is a very real difference between simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates, found in rice, pasta, white potatoes and some dairy products, contain sugars that are broken down quickly by your body. This will provide your body with a quick burst of energy, but if the carbohydrates are not used quickly, the sugar will turn to fat. So in the long run, simple carbs make it harder to lose weight. Complex carbohydrates also contain sugars, but ones that contain longer, more complex chains which the body takes longer to break down. This allows the body more time to use the carbohydrates, and as a result fewer of the carbs turn to fat. Vegetables, whole grain pastas and breads and beans all contain complex carbohydrates. Here are a few complex carbohydrates to fit into your diet
Crunchy Banana Bread 4 tsp baking powder 2 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 1 C xyliol or sucanat 1½ C old fashioned oatmeal, uncooked 3/4 C olive oil 1 C buttermilk with 1 tbs. cider vinegar 4 eggs beaten (or egg substitute) 2 C mashed bananas 1 C chopped nuts (optional - I like it without nuts) Sift together first 4 dry ingredients into bowl. Stir in oats. Add remaining ingredients. Stir only until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in nuts. Coat bread loaf pans with olive oil or baking spray and pour in batter. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven, small loaf 35-40 minutes/ large loaves 45-50 minutes. Make ahead and freeze!  Ready Now?If looking and feeling great is something you're passionate about, Can't Stand it? Gotta Have More? Click here for the personal touc h
|
