Do you desperately want to lose weight but can’t resist carbs? Well, this dietary habit can hamper your weight loss efforts. However, before you judge all carbohydrates for weight management, you should be aware that there are several types of carbohydrates, some of which are healthy and some of which are not. Basically, there are three types of carbohydrates; sugar, fiber and starch. Let’s talk about starchy foods and whether or not they are effective for weight loss.
What are starchy foods?
Talking about starchy foods, are actually important for a nutritious meal. They provide your body with glucose and are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are important sources of energy for many people.
Why do we need starchy foods?
Well, aside from being a good source of energy, starchy foods are also rich in calcium, iron, fiber, and vitamins. In fact, starchy foods are also known to improve satiety, which can reduce the likelihood of overeating and keep you satisfied for a longer period of time. As a result, they provide some health advantages, such as better insulin sensitivity and decreased fat storage, which also means they can help in weightloss.
Legumes, grains and tubers are some good sources of healthy starchy foods and are high in nutritional value. In fact, apart from starch, legumes provide 2-3 times more protein than rice and wheat, tubers, on the other hand, are low in calories and cereals are high in fiber. But wait, not all starchy foods are actually good for your body.
Let’s take a look at some starchy foods to avoid and their alternatives:
1. White bread
Do you love sandwiches loaded with cheese? But did you know that white bread actually has no nutritional value and is high in starch? When digested, it actually spikes your glucose levels and you may soon feel hungry. Yes, this can lead to overeating and is the reason for your weight gain.
Alternative to white bread
If you still can’t resist that loaded sandwich, why not try wheat or multigrain bread instead of white? They are high in minerals, vitamins and fibers and contain hardly any sugar compared to white bread.
Also, read: How to eat rice without gaining weight?
2. White rice
We Asians can’t do without rice! But you should know that white rice is just an empty carbohydrate as it lacks protein and fiber. And this can cause your blood sugar to rise faster, which is quite problematic.
alternative to white rice
Why not try replacing white rice with brown rice or something like quinoa, which is a whole grain and can provide all the nutritional value your body needs? With them, you won’t feel hungry soon and that will lead to less overeating and easy weight loss.
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