While not all carbohydrates should be eliminated from the diet, experts say it's important to at least cut back on carbs that don't contribute to good health.
But how to quit craving favorite foods like bread, pasta and cereal is a challenge in the food-oriented culture that exists the U.S.
There is only one way to stop craving carbohydrates, experts say, and that is to simply stop eating them. And while some believe in gradually cutting out those carbs, or going cold-turkey, strategy is needed to keep from falling off the low- or no-carb wagon.
The Mayo Clinic lays out the risks of consuming "bad" carbs and those include bleached, white flour.
Look at the ingredients on the labels of food and if there is refined flour, think twice about eating it, Mayo Clinic advises.
Stick to the healthy carbs because your body needs certain types of carbs to survive. Eating fresh fruits and veggies is a wise choice to get the carbs needed to fuel the body.
The Mayo Clinic recommends eating more beans and legumes, eating leafy and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables and limit intake of items that have added sugar.
Eliminating pasta, bread, pancakes and other flour-based products can be daunting, but the key is to slowly eliminate these tempting items a little bit at a time. Eat whole-grain breads and pasta rather their bleached white counterparts.
Others recommend dropping the bad carbs all at once, drinking more water and taking up new activities to keep your mind off food.
With a sudden halt in those carbs, there may be a withdrawal period and self-control will come into play. It's a good idea to start any low-carb or no-carb regime when it's not during a holiday season, when cookies, cake and pastas and breads are the centerpiece to parties and gatherings.
It is recommended to talk to a physician when attempting any new health routine.
The American Diabetes Association says it's unfortunate that many of the popular comfort foods are high in carbohydrates, but the group has some tips.
-- Try brown rice and barley and these can be used in soups, stews and salads instead of white rice
-- Select sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes
-- Eat fruits instead of drinking overly sweet fruit juices that may have high sugar content
Portion control also comes into play and the ADA suggests limiting a fourth of your plate for starchy vegetables or grains, fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables and use the last quarter for protein.
The ADA includes recipes on its website that help carb-cutters get over the cravings. The recipes are for breads and foods that substitute healthy ingredients and one of the featured recipes includes pumpkin bread.
Another benefit to cutting out the unhealthy carbohydrates: Possible weight loss.
Experts suggest getting consultation with your physician before starting any new dietary regime.
