5 of the best carbs to eat to lose belly fat

With all the extreme weight loss diets that are on the market, most people are a little confused about carbs. They are confused about how many they should eat, if any at all – and if they should cut them out of their diet completely when trying to lose belly fat.

So why are carbs important in reducing belly fat? It is mainly due to the high fibre content of these foods that helps with weight loss and losing belly fat.

Fibre helps in a number of ways, such as keeping you fuller so you tend to eat less calories in total and also taking longer to chew, giving your brain time to get the signal that you have had enough to eat.

The fact is that carbs are the number one source of energy producing foods. Therefore we CANNOT leave them out of our diet. We need an array of carbs including grains, seeds and vegetables on a day to day basis. What we DON’T need are carbs in the form of donuts, fries and ice cream.

Try to consume a small portion of whole grain carbs at each main meal to increase your dietary fibre intake and aid in weight loss.

1. Brown rice

Brown rice is a wholegrain, and more nutritious than white rice as it contains more fibre, B vitamins and minerals such as manganese, selenium and magnesium.  Organic brown rice is especially better for you as it’s grown without the use of any pesticides or harmful chemicals.

Brown rice retains the bran and has a higher nutritional value than most other rices. The germ of whole rice also contains phytin, which helps expel toxins from the body. We use brown rice in this delish Spanish Rice with Chorizo.

2. Konjac noodles

A great alternative to wheat pasta and noodles, konjac is a vegetable and not really even a carb. Also known as ‘slim pasta’ it is essentially all fibre, therefore contains no fat, no sugar and no carbs. At only 44 kilojoules (6 to 10 calories) per 100 grams, low GI, gluten-free, they really are a great option.

3. Organic rolled oats

Rolled oats are naturally gluten free, but when cross contaminated with rye, barley and wheat in farming or processing equipment, these grains become a gluten sensitive food.

Rolled oats digest slowly, are packed with fibre and have little impact on your blood sugar. Oats are also a great source of manganese, selenium, vitamin B1, dietary fibre, magnesium, protein and phosphorus.

Oats, thanks to their high fibre profile, are also great for clearing the junk from your digestive system,  including cholesterol, that would otherwise end up in the bloodstream. Oats can also help stabilise your blood sugar levels and help prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Look for organic natural oats when selecting the best type.

Check out our delicious recipe for Five Ingredient Oats With Vanilla Cherry Compote in the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge recipe hub.

4. Quinoa

A great alternative to couscous. Quinoa is a seed and is considered a complete protein, because it contains all eight essential amino acids. Most grains are lacking in at least one amino acid, therefore this makes it a great protein source for vegans or vegetarians.

Quinoa  is also being tested in research laboratories as a possible way to curb hunger and alleviate protein malnutrition in underdeveloped countries. It works well in salads, soups and stews – like in this super nourishing Quinoa and Veggie soup.

5. Broccoli

A great non-starchy carb, broccoli contains many nutrients such as folate, soluble and insoluble fibre, vitamins C and A, and calcium, which are needed for numerous functions in the body.

Blast stubborn weight with the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge

Our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is a family-friendly, breastfeeding-safe program designed FOR MUMS to help them improve their health and lose the baby weight. 

Every week you are given a different meal plan to follow and each month we add NEW recipes to our Challenge Recipe Hub. That way, you’ll never get bored and stay on weight loss track while digging into healthy, yummy recipes.

Learn more about our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge HERE.