How to Cut Out Carbs to Lose Body Fat

The best way to lose fat is through a combination of dietary changes and exercise. You need to cut 500 to 1,000 calories per day to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week. Limiting your carbs may make it easier for you to cut calories and lose weight, but you shouldn't eliminate them all. Some carbohydrate-containing foods, such as fruits and nonstarchy vegetables, are actually beneficial for weight loss. The key is to cut out the less healthy sources of carbs while increasing your lean protein intake. Speak with your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise program to make sure it is safe for you.

Importance of Carbs During Weight Loss

Carbs are one of the main sources of energy for your body, and they also provide fiber. Fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, help limit your disease risk and may also fill you up so you eat fewer calories overall. Fruits and non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, carrots and bell peppers, are particularly beneficial for weight loss because they're very filling but don't contain many calories per serving. Eating them at the beginning of your meal can help fill you up so you don't eat as much of the higher calorie foods on your plate, making it easier to cut calories and lose weight.

Percentage of Carbs to Include

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The Institute of Medicine recommends getting between 45 and 65 percent of your calories from carbohydrates, 10 to 35 percent from protein, and 20 to 35 percent from fat. Reducing the carbs you eat, while increasing protein, may help you lose weight and improve your body composition, according to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition in 2003. Thus, a mix of about 45 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 25 percent fat may be helpful for losing weight. If you eat 1,500 calories a day, that gives you about 170 grams of carbs, 112 grams of protein, 42 grams of fat.

If keeping track of these nutrients is a bit much for you, a simpler way to get a good mix of lean protein, healthy carbs and fat is to divide your plate into quarters, one section each for fruits, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains and lean protein foods.

Choosing the Right Carbs to Cut

When you're trying to lose weight, get your carbohydrates mainly from non-starchy vegetables, legumes, fruits and whole grains. Cut carbs by eating fewer sweets, processed foods and refined grains, and drinking fewer sugary beverages. For example, trade soda for water, unsweetened tea or coffee; have fruit instead of cake or ice cream for dessert; and swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa. People who ate more fruits and vegetables were able to increase their weight loss as reported in a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2009. These foods are also excellent sources of essential nutrients, unlike sweets and sugary foods.

Importance of Protein for Losing Body Fat

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Eating at least 25 to 30 grams of protein per meal may help increase your weight loss results and help you feel less hungry, according to a review article published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2015. High-protein diets are also better for losing body fat than those with a standard amount of protein, notes the results of a study published in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases in 2009.

Choose a mix of lean protein sources, such as seafood, legumes, skinless poultry and less-fattening cuts of pork and beef: those with "loin" or "round" in the name. You can get the recommended 25 to 30 grams of protein per meal by eating 3 ounces of lean beef, an ounce of non-fat mozzarella along with 3 ounces of chicken breast, or a cup of quinoa with a cup of lentils.

Don't Forget to Exercise

To maximize the fat-loss potential of your dietary changes, you also need to exercise. Combining the recommended reduced-calorie, high-protein diet with resistance training will help increase your weight and fat loss, according to a study published in Diabetes Care in 2010. Resistance training includes lifting weights and body-weight exercises, such as squats, sit-ups and push-ups. You also want to include cardio in your weight-loss plan, such as running, swimming, brisk walking or even dancing to your favorite music. The cardio helps increase the beneficial effects of the protein in your diet and maximizes weight loss and fat loss while minimizing the amount of muscle you lose. For weight loss, aim for at least 300 minutes of cardio and two sessions of resistance training per week.