Keep the carbs! (the good ones that is)

Cutting carbs from your diet plan can often leave you with a lack of energy – that’s because your body needs carbs! So called "good carbs" – those high in fiber – will not only fill your hunger spot, but will actually help you lose and maintain weight.

WHY? Dietary Fiber is the part of plant foods that your body doesn’t digest. Fiber, therefore, helps with regularity and has been shown to have other health benefits, as well. Dietary fibers move food through the digestive system, absorbing water and easing defecation. So not only can you see the benefit to weight management, but fiber can provide other health benefits as well, such as lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. All around – fiber is great!

So WHERE do you get it? Fiber is found mainly in fruits and whole grains— usually suppressed in a low carb diet – and also vegetables and legumes (peas, beans, lentils, etc). So when cutting the carbs, remember that while it's right to cut out "refined carbs" (e.g. white bread, white pasta) - keep the whole grains IN. Whole wheat breads, pastas, and cereals are more readily available today, so you should have no trouble making the switch.

Read more at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fiber/NU00033