According to a recent article from Dr. Andrew Weil avoiding carbs at all costs does not lead to weight loss. In fact, some carbs are needed for a balanced healthy diet. Only certain ‘bad’ carb should be avoided.

Will banishing carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, potatoes and pasta help you to lose weight – and keep it off? Proponents of low-carb diets think so, and encourage people to replace all carbs with animal protein and fat. However, many nutritionists and dieticians do not agree – and neither does common sense. Low-carb diets do not address the real issue when it comes to a healthy body: the quality of the carbohydrates you choose should be the main focus. Carbohydrates are an essential part of a balanced, healthful diet. Instead of giving up carbs, learn more about which carbs are good choices – and which ones you should keep to a minimum.

More-refined carbohydrates. Rapidly converted into blood sugar, refined carbs cause corresponding rises and falls in insulin levels, which can lead to overeating, weight gain and insulin resistance. Common examples include:

  1. Flour
  2. Sugar
  3. Sweetened dairy products
  4. Most snack foods and baked goods
  5. Processed grains, crackers, rice cakes, most breads
  6. Soft drinks
  7. High fructose corn syrup

Think of refined carbohydrates as processed foods, and eat them sparingly.