The popularization of diet philosophies such as Atkins Diet and South Beach Diet over the past fifteen years has correctly educated people about the fattening effects of high carbohydrate ratio diets.
The modern diet has evolved to include an ever increasing proportion of refined carbohydrates.
Combine this with a more sedentary population and you have the main reasons for widespread obesity.
Carbs though, are a necessary part of nutrition.
We can't live without them.
But the types of carbs we eat can make all of the difference.
Whole grains are super beneficial components of a healthy diet whereas refined grains, primarily wheat, remove most of the bran and germ leaving mostly starch.
Whole grains also keep intact a lot of the natural vitamins and natural anti oxidants that are stripped away during the refining process.
People with diabetes or those with a history of diabetes in their family also gain a huge benefit from eliminating most of the refined carbohydrates from their diets.
That's because complex carbs help the body to naturally regulate blood sugar levels.
Sugary refined foods are notorious for causing a very quick rise then a drop in blood sugar which can be a dangerous situation for some.
Whole grains can also help in weight reduction.
While cutting calories is the very basic idea in losing weight, a more sound approach is to rebalance your diet to include more whole grains and less refined sugars.
Complex carbohydrates found in whole grains also keep you from feeling hungry because they take more time to digest.
Keeping your metabolism in optimal working order is actually the most important thing you can do to maintain a healthy body weight over the long term.
The increased fiber intake will also help keep you regular and help you avoid feeling bloated.
So instead having a tuna or salmon salad sandwich for lunch on white bread, use whole wheat or multi grain bread instead.
Do this for all of your daily meals.
Piece by piece swap out the refined grains and starchy foods with whole grains.
Instead of snacking on pretzels try a low sugar, high fiber granola bar.
At dinner time avoid white rice and instead go for brown rice.