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The Truth about Carbohydrates and Vegetables
If you are on a low carbohydrate diet and concerned about eating vegetables, relax. Vegetables are good for you and not as high in carbohydrates as you may think. In addition, vegetables, when eaten raw or cooked properly, have valuable nutritional content that you cannot do without.
Those who are trying a low carbohydrate diet have probably been advised to stay away from vegetables and fruits as they tend to contain a lot of carbohydrates. However, it has been advised by the medical community that a serving of fruits and vegetables each day is necessary to maintain good health.
For the most part, fruits contain more carbohydrates than vegetables. This does not mean that you have to eliminate fruits from your diet when eating a low carbohydrate diet, but that you should be wary of the amount of carbohydrates are contained in each serving of fruit that you eat.
In addition, you can consume vegetables that are not only lower in carbohydrates, but also high in nutritional factors, during your low carbohydrate diet and maintain good health while still loosing weight.
The following vegetables are very low in carbohydrates when consumed raw:
- Mushrooms 0.5 grams
- Watercress 0.3 grams
- Celery 1 grams
- Gourd 1 grams
- Lettuce 1.5 grams
- Spinach 1.5 grams
- Cucumber 1.5 grams
These are all vegetables that are low in carbohydrates as well as calorie content. To have a low carbohydrate salad, you can mix raw lettuce, spinach, cucumber, celery and mushrooms as well as watercress and sprinkle with some balsamic vinegar. This is very low in carbohydrates as well as calories and yet filling and has nutritional value.
The following vegetables are very high in carbohydrates when consumed raw:
- Yams 27 grams
- Potato 25 grams
- Peas 15 grams
Although very few of us consume raw potatoes, yams or peas, these vegetables are high in carbohydrates and should be avoided when on a low carbohydrate diet. Potatoes are even higher in carbohydrates when laced with butter, salt or sour cream.
Eating vegetables on a low carbohydrate diet is possible if you know which vegetables to eat. A salad made from spinach leave and raw cucumber with a no carbohydrate dressing is something that can add nutritional quality to your diet while not destroying your low carbohydrate diet.
Avoid vegetables that are high in carbohydrate and calorie content when on a diet. Also make sure that you consume the vegetables raw in order to get the most nutritional value from the vegetables while on your diet.
The medical community advises that we eat seven servings of vegetables or fruit a day. Those on a low carbohydrate diet often skip this advice because they have been told to stay away from vegetables and fruit. This is not the case. You can still get your seven vegetables and fruits in during a low carbohydrate diet, without sacrificing the properties of the diet. You just have to make sure that you eat the right types of vegetables that contain very low amounts of carbohydrates. This can give you both valuable nutrients as well as the ability to lose weight during your low carb diet.
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