Healthy carbohydrates are certainly not the weight-loss devil. But the experts are clear that it’s not only the timing of your carb intake, but also the quality of the carbohydrate source that is important.

Eat more carbs earlier in the day

Eat the majority of your carbs in the morning, and limit your carb intake in the evening. Be aware that most veggies, though they’re classified as carbohydrates, provide a variety of phytonutrients and minerals that are important. So don’t be afraid to include a wide variety of veggies in your diet.

Don’t be afraid to eat these carbs

Be sure to include low GI and GL carbs in your breakfast and lunch meals, especially if you are training in the afternoon. These include nuts, legumes (split peas, lentils, beans and chickpeas), brown rice, fruit, sweet potato, oats and veggies (except root vegetables, such as carrots).

By severely limiting your carb intake you may find that you don’t have the energy to perform the high intensity weight training and cardio work you require to lose weight, burn fat and tone and shape your physique.

You can also try out a programme of carb cycling, which may fire up your metabolism and encourage further weight loss. It’s about alternating between low-carb, high-carb and/or no-carb days. it is believed that this aids in recovery and replenishes glycogen, giving you the fuel you need to keep training hard.