2 Starchy Foods To Avoid When Trying to Lose Weight
Starchy foods are the most common types of carbohydrates and are a good source of energy. However, these foods should be avoided for better weight management.
Desperate to lose weight but can’t resist carbs? Well, this diet habit may be hindering your weight loss efforts. But before you judge all carbs for weight management, you should know that there are several types of carbs.
Some of these are healthy, and others are not. There are three types of carbs; sugar, fiber, and starch. Let’s discuss starchy foods and whether they are effective for weight loss.
What are starchy foods?
Starchy foods it’s essential for a nutritious meal. They provide your body with glucose and are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This vitamin is a crucial source of energy for many people.
Why do we need starchy foods?
Apart from being a good energy source, starchy foods are also high in calcium, iron, fiber, and vitamins. Starchy foods are also known to improve satiety.
These foods make you less likely to overeat and keep you fuller for longer. As a result, they provide some health benefits, such as reduced insulin sensitivity and fat storage. This means that they can help you lose weight.
Legumes, grains, and root vegetables are some of the best sources of healthy starchy foods and have high nutritional value. Besides starch, legumes provide 2-3 times more protein than rice and wheat.
On the other hand, root vegetables are low in calories, and grains are high in fiber. But wait, not all starchy foods are good for your body.
Here’s a look at a few starchy foods you should avoid and their alternatives:
1. White bread
Love sandwiches loaded with cheese? But did you know that white bread has no nutritional value and is high in starch? Digesting increases glucose levels, and you may feel hungry soon. Yes, it can lead to overeating and weight gain.
White bread alternative
If you still can’t resist this loaded sandwich, why not try wheat bread or multi-grain bread instead of white? They are high in minerals, vitamins, and fiber and contain almost no sugar compared to white bread.
2. White rice
We Asians can’t do without rice! But you need to know that white rice is just an empty carbohydrate because it lacks protein and fiber. This can cause blood sugar levels to rise faster, which is problematic.
White rice alternative
Why not try replacing your go-to white rice with brown rice or quinoa? It is a whole grain and can provide all the nutritional value that your body needs. With them, you won’t feel hungry as soon, leading to less overeating and quickly losing weight.
