Slow carb diet

In order for your body to work properly, you need vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbs. But, having the right carbs is essential. A slow carb diet is the answer.

Complex carbs

Not all carbs are good. Sugar is a carbohydrate but what type of sugar it contains is also important. You should know by now that sugars like high fructose corn syrup are not good for you. Instead, opt for foods with complex carbohydrates like starchy veggies and whole grains. While these types of foods do contain carbs, they are complex in nature – meaning that they release slowly. By doing so, you maintain energy and your blood sugar won’t skyrocket and then crash.

You may have noticed that you feel fuller longer when you eat complex carbs. Generally, if you feel hungry after about an hour after you’ve eaten, you most likely didn’t have many complex carbs. If, instead, you still feel satiated after 3-4 hours, you know you had a healthy, long-lasting meal – your blood sugar will be level and you won’t feel tired.

It’s also important to eat with protein and fat for a complete meal and so that it stays longer with you. This is because it takes longer to digest. You’ll feel fuller longer and stay more satisfied so that you don’t need that candy bar or even a mid-afternoon snack.

Refined carbs

Refined carbs are the ones in your processed foods. They contain a lot of sugar. They may contain grains but they aren’t ‘whole’ – think your white breads and bakery. While they can be delicious, they will spike your blood sugar so these are not the kinds of carbs you should be eating.

Vegetable carbs for a slow carb diet

Vegetables do contain natural sugar and while all vegetables are good, it’s important to get starchy vegetables in your diet. Here is a list of some vegetables (and fruits) and the carbs they contain. Which do you include in your diet?

Carbs in carrots

Carrots do contain complex carbs but there is more sugar in carrots than many vegetables as they are a non-starchy vegetable. There are about 6 grams of net carbs in a medium sized carrot and 3 grams of sugar. Still, they have good fiber content and they do have some complex carbs. So, that is why I still like to eat carrots. They’re so very good – I just don’t eat too many of them. Check out this recipe for roasted carrots:

Here are some carrots from my garden last year. Not the prettiest, but still tasty!

carbs in carrots — Carrots from my garden Photo credit: Nutt So Ruff

Cucumber carbs

Cucumbers contain almost 4 grams of carbs in one serving size, with skin.

Carbs in grapes and Cherry Carbs

Total carbs in 10 grapes are almost 10 carbs. Obviously, because this is a fruit, there is more sugar. The is roughly the same for cherries. Again, while fruits may have more sugar, you shouldn’t necessarily stay away from them. You shouldn’t only eat fruit. Make sure to get veggies into your diet as well.

Carbs in corn on the cob

Who doesn’t love corn on the cob? Yum! But you get 17 total carbs in one ear. Add butter to that and you get almost 32 grams of carbs.

Carbs in baked potato

It’ll be a toss-up between a baked potato and corn on the cob on which would be the favorite. One of the problems with baked potatoes is that we always add toppings. Adding cheese, sour cream or bacon will give this delicious spud up to 40 grams of carbs. So, be careful here.

Carbs in celery

Ah, celery! As a kid, I hated celery but I have grown to like it. The net carbs are almost negligible so that is why this should be in your slow carb diet. It will keep you fuller longer plus it has so much fiber. Plus, there are so many health benefits of celery.

So, start adding some more veggies to your diet, especially complex carbs for a slow carb diet you can feel good about. These slow carbs will help you feel better all the way around!

Complex carbs

Refined carbs