A lot of diets will tell you you can’t eat bread or grains, but any balanced, sustainable way of eating shouldn’t eliminate an entire food group. The Abs Diet includes whole-grain breads and cereals in its list of Powerfoods because your body actually needs carbohydrates for energy and proper mental functioning. Not all carbs are bad!

Of course, they don’t mean Wonder Bread and doughnuts. Whole grains are key. But what exactly are they? Whole, natural grains are made up of three parts: germ, bran, and endosperm. When grains are refined into white flour or white rice, for example, the bran and germ are lost – along with most of the fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Good, healthy choices in the grain category include whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat tortillas, whole-wheat pretzels, brown rice, and oatmeal. Whole grain WASA crackers are one of my favorite to-go foods. Just add a sliced egg and tomato, or a piece of cold-cut lean turkey, and you have a great snack.

Precision Nutrition has some excellent tips on selecting and cooking whole grains. Check them out:
• The Safe Carbs – Whole Grains
• Expert Tips: Cooking Whole Grains

• For more information on the Abs Diet, visit Women’s Health.

Image: Laura HB