How Can I Cut Down on Carbohydrates? (Teens)

 Carbohydrates are a key part of a healthy diet, but too many can lead to weight gain problems. It's hard to get the balance right, especially as it can be hard to tell how much we need and how much is in various foods. 'High carbohydrate' foods contain starch, the way plants store sugars - so they provide much energy. Most starchy foods are beige stuff!

Steps

1. 
   1
   Choose a thin crust pizza, rather than a deep dish. Pizza crust is bready, choosing a thin, crispy one is just as delicious and contains fewer carbohydrates.
2. 
   2
   Have smaller portions of the high carbohydrate group at dinner (and replace them with salad or coloured vegetables. This means less pasta, potatoes, and rice. If mum makes your dinner, just ask for a smaller portion or leave some.
3. 
   3
   Leave the bread. If you have bread as a side dish at dinner, just leave it!
4. 
   4
   Stop snacking on crisps or potato chips. There are so many alternative snacks - go for fruit, or if you fancy that crunch, try sugar snap peas or even vegetable chips.
5. 
   5
   Go for whole meal (whole grain) versions of foods - brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole grain or vegetarian pasta. These foods contain more fibre, which will make you feel full more quickly, meaning you will eat less of it, hence, fewer carbohydrates!
6. 
   6
   Eat slowly, you'll start to feel full more quickly, hence eating less carbohydrates.
7. 
   7
   Go for a fruity, rather than cake, option for pudding (dessert, if any). This doesn't have to be boring, just go for jell-o rather than chocolate cake.