Expect Endless Energy From Healthy Carbs

I've been following Dr. Weil, holistic doctor and author, for more than 10 years. His advice is sound and reliable. He has never steered me in the wrong direction.

In this post, Dr. Weil talks about healthy carbs and how they sustain energy throughout the day.

When you are on a low sugar/low carb eating plan (click How To Lose At Least 20 Pounds In 1 Month to access my free ebook describing this plan) eating six servings of carbs, you might as well eat the best ones you can find.

Here's Dr. Weil on healthy carbs:

Carbohydrates are an essential part of a balanced, healthful diet. Instead of simply shunning carbs in your efforts to maintain a healthy weight, learn to make the right choices.  

Start by avoiding the more-refined carbohydrates, which rapidly convert into blood sugar, causing corresponding rises and falls in insulin levels, which can lead to overeating, weight gain and insulin resistance.   

Examples of refined carbohydrates include foods made principally of flour and sugar, sweetened (and particularly low-fat) dairy products, most snack foods and baked goods, and soft drinks. The latter is perhaps the worst - resolving to stop drinking sweetened beverages of any kind, including fruit juice is among the best moves you can make for health.  

Instead, focus on healthy carbs such as those found in true whole grains. These minimally processed foods are digested more slowly than are refined carbs, and contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber.   

Dr. Weil defines true whole grains as those typically served with the grain intact or in large pieces - examples include barley, quinoa, basmati rice, bulgur wheat and millet.   

The body metabolizes large, intact grains more slowly, preventing blood sugar "spikes" that are followed by "lows." The result is a steady, productive energy that propels you through the day.  

If whole grains seem intimidating to cook, don't fear - check out this article on cooking with whole grains, where you can learn how to cook a variety of whole grains, from amaranth to wild rice!

Losing Weight Does NOT Mean You Have To Be Hungry All The Time

If you are trying to manage your weight, it does NOT mean you have to be hungry all the time. If you eat the right kinds of food, being hungry will be a past condition.

Here's a typical example:
You have decided to lose weight so you choose a low sugar/low carb eating plan. You read the eating plan info in my FREE ebook How To Lose (at least) 20 Pounds In 1 Month (click the title to download your copy).

You are not counting calories, only grams of sugar and carbs you consume.

The sugar/carb guidelines are strict - 15 grams of sugar and 120 grams of carbs (six servings). To prevent the hunger pangs, you could transition to the lower sugar/carb guidelines. Or, you can substitute more good fats in your diet to address any hunger you may experience. What are good fats? Foods like avocado and certain nuts fits the bill.

Fats Help Satisfy Hunger 

Remember that fats (except for trans fats) have been replaced by sugar and bad carbs as the bad boys of nutrition. This is what my fav doc (mercola.com) has to say about about fats to manage weight:

Consider that frequent hunger is oftentimes a clue that you're not eating correctly. 

As a general rule, most people likely need upwards of 50-85 percent healthy fat in their diet, along with high amounts of vegetable carbs, moderate-to-low amounts of high-quality protein, and very little, if any, non-vegetable or grain carbs.  

Fat is far more satiating than carbs, so if you have cut down on carbs and feel ravenous, thinking you "can't do without the carbs," remember this is a sign that you haven't replaced them with sufficient amounts of fat.  

You do want to make sure you're adding the correct types of fat though. Sources of healthy fats include: 

• Olives and olive oil.
• Avocados. 
• Coconut and coconut oil, as well as other unheated organic nut oils.
• Butter made from raw grass-fed organic milk.
• Raw nuts, particuarly macadamia nuts.
• Organic pastured egg yolks.
• Grass-fed and finished meats. 

Buy that funny-looking avocado, slice it up into salads or make yourself a healthy avocado dip. It's a low-sugar, high fat food to help manage hunger and weight.