What are Carbohydrates in Food?
So, what are carbohydrates in food? Carbohydrates, called carbs, are found mostly in sugars, starches, and fibrous foods. Fiber is found in vegetables, fruits, and whole grain products.
Some starches, for example, are found in foods made from corn and potatoes. So, foods like potato chips, corn chips, tortillas, French fries, mashed potatoes, grits, popcorn, and cornbread are high in carbohydrates. All these high-carb starches should be avoided on the Keto diet or any low-carb diet.
What are The Carbohydrate Foods
Soft drinks, energy drinks, sweet tea, candy, cookies, and pies contain lots of sugar, another carbohydrate. Legumes(beans), nuts, pasta, bread, most fruit, and yogurt are high in carbohydrate content also. However, legumes usually contain some protein unlike fiber, starches, and sugar.
The carbohydrate foods are to be avoided on the keto diet and are not good because they are mostly high-calorie with low nutritional value. Carbs only provide a short amount of energy. When your body burns fat or protein for fuel, energy levels will be increased for much longer.
Your body wants to burn carbs off for energy first, then fat and protein. However, consuming too many carbs is not good since your body will not burn off fat or protein. Carbs that are not getting burned off each day will eventually get stored by your body as fat. Try to keep your carb consumption to 200 calories or less per day on a standard 2000 calorie diet.
For some perspective on how few carbs you should consume in a day on the keto diet, a standard 20-ounce soda contains around 240 calories. All these calories come from carbohydrates, usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup.
If your body can’t burn off its daily intake of carbohydrates, it will not be able to start burning off fat. Not being able to burn off enough carbs is what causes weight gain for many people.
How Does Avoiding Carbs Help Burn Fat?
Since the Keto-diet allows for very few carbs and minimal proteins, your body will have to burn fat for energy. As a result, you are burning fat for longer-lasting energy. Carbohydrates only supply short amounts of energy. Therefore, limiting the number of carbs in your diet forces your body to burn fats and proteins for energy.
Once your body enters the state of Ketosis, your energy levels will increase. Many people on the Keto diet will lose weight and possibly see a decrease in their blood pressure.
Some people lose weight very quickly once their body enters the state of Ketosis. Remember to always consume an adequate amount of calories daily for your body’s requirements. For example, 2000 calories a day is recommended. Make sure to get calories from healthy fats like fatty fish, olive oil, eggs, cheese, and avocados daily. Always consume protein like shrimp, turkey, chicken, beef, and crab daily. About 20-25% of your daily calories should come from protein.