FACT: With the onset of the low-carb diet craze, many people deny themselves this major food group. This concept is misunderstood because it's not the carbohydrates themselves that cause weight gain, it's the fact that for many of us, it's difficult to control the portion sizes, Carlucci says.
Instead of cutting out carbs altogether (which does not sound fun at all!), focus on choosing the right carbs in the proper portions. Stick with whole-grain pastas and breads (each slice should have 100 calories or less and should contain at least 3 grams of fiber), and try to fill no more than 1/4 of your plate with starch. Limit pasta to 1 cup cooked, and choose potatoes that are about the size of a computer mouse.
