| With all the hype about high-carbohydrate diets comes great confusion with what to believe. The most popular high-carbohydrate diet is the Ornish diet. The Slim•Fast and Weight Watchers diets may also be included because they focus on low-fat and low-protein intakes. These diets all focus on eating more carbohydrate than fat and protein. To be specific, these diets are made up of >65% carbohydrate, <10–19% fat, and 15–20% protein. |
 |
| To get the most out of high-carbohydrate diets, whole grains and complete proteins (those containing all nine essential amino acids) are the best choices for energy sources. Whole grains include wheat tortillas, whole-wheat/grain breads, oatmeal, brown rice, and many more. Protein, although consumed in small amounts, is an important component of these diets. The diets advise consuming proteins containing all nine essential amino acids. Examples include meat, such as pork, beef, and poultry. |
| Another important aspect of these diets is to limit simple, refined carbohydrates, such as processed breads, crackers, chips, and cookies. These items are full of calories, but lack vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. |
Examples of high carbohydrate/low-fat snacks include:
- Wheaties®, Cheerios®, and Grape-Nuts® cereals
- Oatmeal and Cream of Wheat® hot cereals
- Whole-grain bagels with jelly or low-fat cream cheese
- Whole-grain breads/toast with jelly or low-fat butter
- Whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese
- Fresh fruit and canned fruit packed in light syrup
- Vegetables
- Wheat/corn tortillas with refried beans or black beans
- Whole-grain pitas
- Whole-wheat pastas
|
| Dieting is only one way to lose weight. The best way to maintain a healthy body image is through eating a balanced diet and daily physical activity. A diet that requires eliminating or drastically limiting a specific food group should be approached with caution. Fruits, vegetables, dairy, and fat all have a place in the diet because they provide essential nutrients vital to normal body functioning. |
| It is okay to follow a diet, but it should be reasonable and healthy. Following a strict diet regime for long periods of time can lead to overeating of foods that were limited. It is best to get expert advice before beginning any diet. The best place to get this information is from a registered dietitian! |
|
| Back to Carbohydrates page |
|
|
