Type 2 Diabetes and Weight Loss – Focus on “Good” Calories to Control Your Blood Sugar and Weight
There is such a thing as “good” calories versus “bad” calories. Calories are not created equal – even if a calorie is a calorie, the source they come from provokes different effects. No one can argue calories from a can of soda have the same net effect as calories from a natural fruit juice. It just would not make sense.From a weight loss perspective, it is essential to consider your caloric intake. In this sense, it is vital to manage your input whether it is “good” or “bad” calories. But even then, you ought to focus on the right kind, because it makes a difference.When you have the option, opt for the healthiest alternative. French fries are a common side to accompany the main meal at a restaurant. They are not ideal because they are deep-fried which makes them denser in calories since fat provides a significantly higher amount of calories per gram than carbohydrates or proteins. You can go for mashed potatoes instead, as it is a better option. Sweet potatoes, however, would be the best alternative as long as it is not sweet potato French fries you are opting for.Sweet potatoes contain…
fewer calories,
more fiber, and
less total carbs
than regular potatoes and have a lower glycemic index making them a superior choice as far as blood sugar levels are concerned. A boiled 150-gram sweet potato cooked with its skin on has a GI of 46. That number rises to 94 if the same potato is baked for 45 minutes. In this case, eating a sweet potato is an example of consuming “good” calories.When cooking, the worst oils you could use are processed vegetable oils. They have damaging effects on the body, especially when your lifestyle is not the healthiest. Cooking with olive oil, however, ensures you are choosing the better option even though the caloric content is similar. Remember to moderate your intake if you are looking to lose weight.These are just a couple of examples. There are numerous areas of your diet where you could focus on “good” calories. It takes an active commitment to making better calorie choices, but it is one of the best habits you could develop for your health.As for the result? Besides making it easier for weight loss you will be much healthier in the long run. You may have heard the saying, “you are what you eat.” If you are eating poorly, it will be reflected in your health. The inverse is also true.