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I'm on a Diet and I Don't Eat Bread Anymore!

Does this sentence sound familiar? "I started a diet this week so now I don't include bread, tortillas, or pasta in my meals." Many people believe that being on a diet means eliminating a food group, but now you'll discover why this is not completely true. 

Carbohydrates give our body energy for things we may not even notice such as digesting food and even walking, working, or running. Eliminating this fuel will make you feel tired, and in addition, your metabolism will gradually slow down.

I'm on a Diet and I Don't Eat Bread Anymore!

During the first week, you may lose a few pounds, but really you're just losing liquids and you'll gain it back soon. That's why it's important to remember that the foundation of a healthy lifestyle is a balanced diet and exercise. In order to have a balanced diet, you must include foods from all the food groups because each one serves an important function in your body.

By eliminating a food group, in this case carbohydrates, you will lose the irreplaceable energy they provide, in addition to an important source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Taking them out of your diet is like losing a puzzle piece when it comes to building the lifestyle and body you've always dreamed of.

The key is to know what amount and what kind of carbohydrates you should consume. To find out, carefully read the following tips:

An average woman should consume between 6-8 servings of grains/cereals or starchy vegetables a day and a man should consume 8-10. But you may be asking yourself:

How much is a serving?

1 serving = 
• 1 slice of bread
• 1 tortilla
• ¾ cup breakfast cereal
• 1/3 cup cooked pasta or rice
• 1 medium-sized potato
• 1/3 cup beans, peas, lentils etc.

Now, how much is ¾ cup grains/cereals or starchy vegetables? An easy way is to visualize it with objects you use every day.

• 1 tortilla = the size of a CD
• ¾ cup breakfast cereal = the size of a fist
• 1/3 cup cooked pasta or rice = the size of a computer mouse
• 1 medium-sized potato = the size of a bar of soap
• 1/3 cup beans, peas, lentils, etc = ½ a tennis ball

Once you know the amount, then you have to know what type of carbohydrates you should eat. An easy tip is to try to choose the ones that are brown in color and the least processed.

• Choose whole wheat bread instead of white bread
• Buy breakfast cereals that are high in fiber instead of sweetened ones.
• Buy whole wheat pasta or rice

Remember, the key is to control serving sizes and the type of grains/cereals or starchy vegetables you eat. You'll not only be getting many more nutrients in your diet, but your metabolism will remain unaltered, therefore, you won't find it as hard to lose weight and it will be easier to get rid of those extra pounds.

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