How to Increase Metabolism with Carbohydrates

There are a lot of theories about how to defeat the battle of the bulge. Some say we must count calories. Others say that it is important to eat high protein and no carbohydrates. Still others say we must combine foods correctly. Several suggest that the ticket is a healthy balanced diet. There is an element of truth of most of these theories, except one--that we shouldn't eat any carbs at all. In fact, complex carbohydrates help to increase our metabolism so that we can burn more excess fat. The key, therefore, is not in eliminating carbs from our diet but in eating the right ones. Read on to learn how to increase metabolism with carbohydrates.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A list of complex carbohydrates

1. Identify complex carbohydrates. These carbs require the body to produce more energy in order to break them down for use as fuel. That means that the body gives itself a metabolic jump start in order to do the necessary job. Additionally, because this form of carbohydrate does take longer for the body to break down, the metabolism must remain active for a longer period of time. That also means that less insulin is injected into the blood stream, thereby reducing our urgent desire for certain types of foods that are high in sugar or fat.
2. Determine the complex carbohydrates that are right for you. A lot of complex carbohydrates can be found in the foods that we normally eat every day like fruits and vegetables. This can often be a good choice of complex carbs for most people because many fruits and veggies are also high in fiber. High fiber items, like complex carbs, take more energy for the body to burn their respective calories. In fact, many scientists believe that a lot of high fiber fruits and veggies actually use more calories to digest them than the calories that they actually hold. That is a definite bonus.
3. Boost your metabolism with complex carbohydrates in their most natural, or raw, form. This is simple with a lot of fruits and vegetables that we often prefer to eat in their raw state. However, there are other complex carbohydrates that we can also use in a natural form. These include barley, bran, brown rice, cornmeal, oatmeal and wheat germ.
4. Choose other complex carbs that will help to boost the metabolism like beans, cereals with wholegrains and/or high in fiber, corn and cornmeal, fruits, legumes, lentils, multi-grain pasta and bread, oats and oatmeals, peas, potatoes (white and yam), root vegetables, shredded wheat, whole wheat breads, flour, and pastas and much more. Again, it is best to keep these carbs in the most natural form possible. If you add a lot of sugars, honey, or other "sweets" or fatty things to them in the cooking process, you may undue the very properties that you are seeking.
5. Consume complex carbohydrates properly. It is better to keep your carbs closer to the first half of your day than the second half. This is generally the time when you are most active and therefore most likely to burn off those extra calories. For example, if you want to include whole grains in your diet, it is best to use them as a part of your breakfast regimen. That way, you get high fiber early in the day and begin an early jump start of your metabolism. You can also choose whole grain breads for your lunch or early morning snacks. Or, if you want pasta, choose a whole grain pasta mixed with root vegetables for a double impact. Dinner should contain lighter grain choices like brown rice, barley, beans, or legumes. Of course, another option is those root veggies that you like so much or even potatoes. However, complex carbs other than fruits should be avoided anytime after about 6:00 p.m.
6. Avoid mixing complex carbohydrates and proteins together as much as possible. Many believe that, because carbs and proteins digest differently, mixing them can cause havoc in the body as it tries to determine which to digest first. This confusion might slow down the metabolic process, thereby undoing the benefit of complex carbohydrates. Instead, choose either a meal high in protein with certain types of veggies or high in carbs with root vegetables. That way, the digestive and metabolic system knows the best way to achieve digestion and prevents it from storing a lot of excess fat.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your physician before making any kind of major switch in your diet.
• <br>Maintain moderation in all things.Read food labels carefully to make certain that you are getting exactly what you want and not something that is "mixed" or "imitated."
• <br>Strive for a balanced diet that contains all of the important food groups rather than any singular type of food.
• <br>Be sure to thoroughly clean all fruits and vegetables before consumption, especially it you are not going to cook them.
• Don't over indulge in any type of food item, including complex carbohydrates.
• <br>Avoid excess sugar and fat in preparing your food items in general but complex carbs in particular as they can undue these foods' benefit to your diet.
• <br>Be aware that switching to complex carbs isn't an open invitation to eat as much as you want.