Nutritionist lists 5 of the best carbs to eat while trying to lose belly fat

Carbs don't always mean cakes and pies! Here are five delicious and nutritious foods rich in carbohydrates that will help you lose belly fat.
Share this article

Are carbs the good guys or the bad guys? Nutritionist Cheree Sheldon tells us the 5 best carbs to eat whilst trying to lose belly fat

It’s hard to know with all the conflicting and extreme weight loss diets currently on the market.

Confusingly, we’re told we should avoid them at all costs especially if we are trying to lose belly fat. But you DON’T need to completely ditch them…

Rice and Grains

Why are we told to ditch carbs then?

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. 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.

5 of the best carbs to eat while trying to lose belly fat

1. Brown rice

5 of the best carbs to eat while trying to lose belly fat

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 your as its 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.

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 god send to ‘dieters’.

3. Organic rolled oats

5 of the best carbs to eat while trying to lose belly fat

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.

They 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 here!

4. Quinoa

Nourishing-Veggie-Quinoa-Soup-Kerrie-Obrien1

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 goes great in salads, soups and stews and is a very stable good fat so you don’t have to worry about keeping it in the fridge. And if you are interested about couscous, we have prepared a couscous salad recipe for you!

No rice or pasta in the pantry? Try these delicious Quinoa recipes instead!

5. Broccoli

5 of the best carbs to eat while trying to lose belly fat

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.

P.S check out our NEW TUMMY smoothie here

Blast belly fat on our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge!

Want to shift your belly fat and take charge of your own health and weight – then join our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge TODAY.

We run them every month and they include meals, recipes and exercises to help you get feeling toned and healthy and it takes the hard work out of losing belly fat.

Our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is an affordable, customisable program designed to help mums reach their weight loss goals and tackle their health.

Our Challenge entails:

  • 28 days of at home exercise routines (no gym needed) – with video instruction
  • Customisable and breastfeeding friendly meal plans
  • Time-efficient exercises for busy mums – under 30 mins
  • Challenge combines Pilates exercises with interval and circuit training (HIIT)
  • Suitable for basic to advanced fitness levels
  • Home to thousands of EASY-TO-MAKE recipes!

You can learn MORE about our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge here.

Mums share their amazing Healthy Mummy transformations!

Cicily Goodwin- 53Kgs Lost

Mum of two Cicily started her journey with The Healthy Mummy in July 2016. In the first few months, she lost 20kgs by using The Healthy Mummy Smoothies twice a day and making the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge meals. She lost another 35kgs over the next year.

Cicily says “I started the year at 110kgs and got to 75kg!! The lifetime goal I’ve dreamed of my whole life! “

Cicily admits that her when she started her journey it was all about weight loss but after living a healthy lifestyle it became a lot more about happiness.

 

Zoe Terry – 41.7Kgs Lost

Zoe shares, “July 2019 – March 2020 – 41.1kgs gone and definitely not missed! I never thought I could do it. I never thought I would enjoy it. But Healthy Mummy has made it easy and fun!

I have found that 2 smoothies, 3 snacks and a healthy main meal paired with daily exercise is what’s worked for me!”

 

Melissa Timmer – 37kgs Lost

The Healthy Mummy which has helped her take back control and within 18 months, she had lost a whopping 37 kg and has been maintaining her weight for three years.

Even though Melissa’s weight fluctuates up and down a little she says “I couldn’t care less because this journey is about being happy and if you feel happy in your skin, no matter how much you weigh or what size you are, that’s all that matters. “We are all different and beautiful so don’t be stuck on what scales say all the time.”

Tarryn Eames – 30Kg Lost

Tarryn says:-

  • From 97KGS to 67KGS
  • From a size 18/20 to a size 10/12
  • From lethargic to energetic
  • From miserable to genuinely happy
  • From hating my body to appreciating it.

“At the beginning of my journey,  all I wanted was to lose weight. I never aimed to gain anything. However, all I’ve gained means more to me than the kilos that are now gone and the cms that have disappeared too. Somewhere along the way, I gained the energy to be able to play with my children and the confidence needed to do that in a public setting.

I gained many beautiful and like-minded friends. I gained confidence. I gained strength both physically and mentally. I gained self-love. I gained knowledge about nutrition and exercise. But most importantly I gained happiness.”

Get access to the 5 Star Rated App Healthy Mummy App – home to the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge!

If you are inspired by our awesome APP and want to take charge of your own health and weight – then join our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge TODAY.

With more than 4,500 delicious (and healthy) recipes, 350 exercises & 24/7 support – the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is designed (and proven) to help busy mums like you lose weight!

For more information on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge, click here.

Share this article

OUR COMMUNITY

Be part of our friendly and supportive community

NEWSLETTER

Want free content delivered to your inbox?


Subscribe now to receive delicious recipes, fitness tips and great specials.