The 'Perfect Carb' List

No matter what your fitness goals are - or what type of diet you're currently following - there are a few carb foods that you really can't go wrong with. These super-healthy foods pack a nutritional 'wollop,' providing you with a ton of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, 'good' calories....and all the energy you need to get through your day (and your workouts). But the best part is that all of these foods are delicious and, for the most part, you can eat as much as you want without worrying about increased body fat!

The 'Perfect Carb' List:

1. Greens: Most green vegetables, including broccoli, spinach, kale, asparagus, lettuce, cucumbers, celery, brussels sprouts, green beans, etc. These should make up a large part of at least two of your daily meals.

2. Berries: Pretty much all edible berries are incredibly healthy. They're the perfect high water-content, low glycemic index, high-phytonutrient fruit. Just be sure to always go organic when possible.

3. Oatmeal: The pure, sugar-free, whole rolled oat kind - not the type that comes in little individual-serving packets. A great breakfast food, oatmeal provides a ton of heart-healthy soluble fiber and slow-burning carbs. Many fitness pro's eat a big bowl for breakfast (along with a lean protein).

4. Sweet Potatoes: Much lower glycemic count than white potatoes - with a lot more nutrients.

5. 100% Whole-Grain Foods: Breads and baked goods made from pure whole grains are about a thousand times better for you than enriched 'white' flour-based foods. Also, foods made from sprouted grains are great choices, especially if you're following a low-carb eating plan. They have a higher protein content with fewer carbs.

A few things to keep in mind:

- Always choose 'organic' versions of the above foods when possible.

- Very-low-carb diets, like Atkins, often don't allow foods like oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and whole-grain breads in the initial 'phase' of the diet

- Real, unprocessed foods are always your best options. Many of the new 'health' foods and beverages you see in stores these days list the above foods (or 'extracts' of them) in their ingredients - right next to an array of sugars, artificial sweeteners, and/or artificial colorings! Avoid these when possible.

Learn more about good carbs at GoodCarbs.org