What is better to lose weight? Reduce the consumption of fat or carbohydrates ? A priori, you might think that it is more appropriate to eat less fat since they have more calories than carbohydrates, but the rise of diets such as keto (ketogenic) or Atkins puts this into question.
To try to settle this debate, Boston Children's Hospital has carried out a very expensive study in which the importance of carbohydrates in weight loss diets has been analyzed . 164 people who had already lost weight were separated into 3 groups. The first group followed a high-carbohydrate diet; the second, a diet with a more moderate presence of carbohydrates; and the third, finally, a low-carbohydrate diet.
The results? Well, it seems that the third group, those who ate less carbohydrates, managed to maintain the weight achieved with more success. Study leader David S. Ludwig of Harvard Medical School explains that this discovery appears to support the assumption that not all calories are created equal.
The study has been questioned because it seems that caloric expenditure has not been well calculated, but what does seem to be clear is that fats are not so bad with being painted in recent years and that carbohydrates have to be consume in the right proportion.
Okay, but then what do I do, more fat or more carbohydrates?
First of all we are going to clarify that when we talk about fats we do not mean that you have an open bar to eat battered, fried or pastries. The appropriate thing is that our diet has to include the necessary amount of good fats since they are vital for the proper functioning of our body. One of their main functions is that they make possible the absorption of such important substances as vitamins A, D, E and K.
What foods contain good fats?
Olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds and blue fish, for example.
And what about carbohydrates?
Well, the same, you also have to consume them in the necessary proportion. And we return to the same thing that we told you with the type of fat: eating carbohydrates healthily is not bloating with sandwiches or cakes. Rice, pasta and whole wheat bread, legumes or potatoes are the right options.
How do I calculate the amounts if I want to eat healthily and without getting fat?
We have a very easy method to follow that you are going to love: the Harvard Plate Diet. When thinking about your meals, guide yourself with a plate. Fill half with vegetables, a quarter with healthy proteins and the other quarter with good carbohydrates. Here's a healthy menu proposal based on the Harvard plate method. What is easy?
