Carbs aka The Enemy...

Why do we hate carbs? Well that's easy, because carbs make us fat. Not so fast... carbs are the fuel we use to exercise, they help us build muscle from insulin stimulation. Carbs are the energy our body and brain need in order to function properly. If you are looking to build muscle, then carbs are not the enemy.

On the other hand, if you are looking to lose weight, carbs may not be your best friend, but should still be used as fuel in order to properly function. For me, I am always trying to stay at a certain weight, but I noticed that if I do not eat some form of carbs, I feel more tired and weak. Therefore, I try to eat my carbs in the morning or early on in the day.

For breakfast, I either have an egg white omelette with turkey (or turkey bacon; still a great form of protein and provides less fat and sodium than regular bacon), spinach or avocado in a whole wheat wrap or just as an omelette. I also eat oatmeal sometimes to boost my energy. It is not low in carbs, so I usually eat it when I know I will be working it off later at the gym. Buying instant oatmeal has way more carbs and sugars than if you were to measure out and make your own. Oats are a good source of important minerals the body needs. You can also add some fruit or chopped walnuts/almonds if you are looking for a little bit more of an energy boost to kick-start your morning!

Lunch is usually my downfall because I am usually spending too much money on something I can make at home and have more control over what is going into it. Working in Manhattan, I am exposed to soooo many different types of food places. I try and stick to a salad or a sandwich at times. The less carbs the better, but I am not going to beat myself up over a piece of bread with turkey lettuce and cheese. Salmon is also a really good idea if you like fish. It is an Omega-3 fatty acid, which is a polyunsaturated fat. Other healthy foods that contain Omega-3 fats include flaxseeds, walnuts, soybeans, shrimp, tofu, beef, soybeans, and a couple of others.

Dinner is usually suggested to not eat many carbs since it is night time, and you only have a few hours until you go to bed. Grilled chicken is the best route to take in this case with some mixed veggies. Sometimes I will eat half a baked potato or a yam to hold me over a bit more, and also so I don't snack after 9pm.

I am a HUGE dessert lover, so not eating something sweet at least once in the day is very unlikely for me. I try to eat some dark chocolate if anything, just to satisfy my craving, but i'll also eat a cookie or a couple of M&M's if I am feeling a bit daring. There is no harm in satisfying your sweet tooth or hunger for that matter. Everything just has to be done in moderation.

What are your favorite foods to eat?!