We've talked extensively in this newsletter about some of the detriments
of many common grains, including the inflammatory response to gluten
even in people that aren't gluten intolerant, as well as potential
issues with lectins, phytates, and other antinutrients.
Many
people are left confused as to "what's left" to eat if you want to truly
eat for a lean healthy body... well, first off, you don't necessarily
need to fuel your body with carbohydrates since the body can run more
efficiently and with less blood sugar spikes and dips when primarily
fueled with healthy fats and proteins, while keeping carbs low-moderate.
But,
most people still want to satisfy their desire for carbs and if you're
active and workout hard, the right types of carbs can be very beneficial
for maintaining lean muscle and keeping your metabolism amped. So
here's 3 great non-grain, gluten-free carb sources to enjoy while
keeping a flat stomach:
1. - Quinoa
Quinoa
is a gluten-free seed (similar to a grain, but actually a seed) that
contains double the protein of brown rice along with greater fiber
content and a lower glycemic load.
Quinoa is a very good low
glycemic carbohydrate source, and rich with manganese, magnesium,
calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, vitamin E, and several B vitamins.
Not
only that, but quinoa contains complete protein and the full spectrum
of amino acids while all other grains are incomplete protein. It comes
in several varieties, including “oatmeal-like” flakes and it’s
wholegrain rice-like form.
Enjoy it as an oatmeal substitute for
breakfast, in salads or casseroles, or as a wholesome whole-grain, high
protein side item to any lunch or dinner meal. We did a full article on quinoa here.
2. - Buckwheat (yes, it's gluten-free and has nothing to do with wheat)
Buckwheat
is also a seed and not a grain technically. Buckwheat is NOT a form of
wheat and contains no gluten, as long as you get 100% buckwheat
products and not those which are combined wheat + buckwheat.
Buckwheat
has more protein and fiber generally than most grains and a lower
glycemic load in general too. Try buckwheat pancakes! Or better yet,
make a batch of pancakes with mixed buckwheat flour, almond flour, and
coconut flour for a perfectly balanced taste and balanced
carb/protein/fat profile!
3. - Berries & Cherries
Berries
like blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and cherries are some of
the BEST carb sources you can eat. Unlike grains, which contain loads
of digestion-harming antinutrients, there's basically no downsides to
berries or cherries. They are high in fiber, packed with antioxidants,
and score extremely low on the glycemic index, especially cherries which
come with a GI of just 22.
They give your body reasonable doses
of useful carbohydrates with much higher levels of micronutrients than
grains... this is a win-win for your belly and your overall health!
I
enjoy fresh berries for dessert several times a week and it's an
awesome, nutritious way to finish off any meal. Great as a snack, too!
Try them on top of greek yogurt... Mmm.
Even when choosing
healthy sources, carbs are one of those tricky nutrients that we all
need to understand how to utilize properly and at the right times.
That's why my friends Joel and Brett (expert Nutritionists) created this
brand new fat-burning report, 4 Tricks to NEVER Store Carbs as Fat,
and they're giving it away 100% free this week. In this 31-page free
report, they show you 4 odd, yet extremely effective strategies that you
can use to increase your insulin sensitivity, lower your blood sugar,
and ideally AVOID storing carbs as fat. Some of the strategies only a
take a few seconds to perform!
Grab your free copy at the link below right now while it's still being offer for free:
4 Tricks to NEVER Store Carbs as Fat
Mike Geary
Certified Nutrition Specialist
Certified Personal Trainer