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Katrina:
Your right! In the past few years carbohydrates have gotten a bad wrap. Diets like the Atkins and South Beach have led people to believe that all carbohydrates are evil and should be eliminated from your diet. Nothing could be further from the truth.

To make matters worse food manufacturers, and restaurants alike have figured out that all they have to do to be successful is label their products low carb and the brainwashed consumers will automatically buy it. The problem is that somewhere in the midst of all the hype and misinformation the facts have been distorted. Not all carbohydrates are bad for you. In fact your body depends on carbohydrates to give it the necessary fuel to get a good workout. One should never eliminate carbohydrates from your diet. Instead you cut back on bad carbohydrates and replace them with the carbohydrates that give you most bang for you buck

Let me begin by explaining what types of carbohydrates you should avoid if your goal is to loose fat. I always tell my clients to stay away from the so called white carbohydrates such as white breads, white potatoes, white rice, white pasta, whole milk and food with white sugar.

These foods may taste good but they are not the best choices because they quickly convert to blood sugar causing a spike in your insulin level. The end result is you are more likely to get fat. I like to compare eating these foods to putting the cheapest gas in your car you can possibly find. Your car will run but it’s will surely have some knocks and pings.

On the other hand eating good carbohydrates is like filling up your tank with high octane. Much like your car your body will run more lean and efficient. In fact these foods can jump start your metabolism and help you burn fat. Good carbohydrates include whole grain products such as old fashioned oatmeal, wheat bread, brown rice and whole grain pasta. They also include fruit and vegetables such as sweat potatoes, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, strawberries and blueberries and apples.