Many people preach the fat deception -  that you need to avoid starch so that you don’t get fat. It’s becoming a common misconception that if you eat starch, you are going to get fat. Potatoes, corn, grains, and pasta are becoming public enemy #1 if you want to lose weight. However, it is not true that you will gain weight with starches unless you eat too much. Many people cut starch out of their diets in order to lose some extra pounds, and it really seems to help some people for a little while.

Starch and especially wholesome starches like whole grains and potatoes do not have enough fat in them to even make you fat. They don’t even get converted to fat in your digestive system unless you are eating starch beyond your daily caloric needs. For example, if you need 2,000 calories a day and you eat 2, 050 calories, the extra 50 calories could get converted to fat if you are eating something starchy. However, if you eat 1,950 calories a day that includes starchy foods, the starch will not get converted to fat.

Basically, you can eat starch all day and not get fat. For example, eating oatmeal with organic soy milk for breakfast, a bean burrito and a salad for lunch, and a pasta salad with chopped vegetables and a healthy dressing, then some pieces of bread and a baked potato for dinner will not make you fat. You will be more apt to lose weight than gain weight if you stay within your daily need for calories that day. You will actually feel like you have more energy and will start feeling healthier.

Starch is your basic body fuel. It helps you to have energy, to exercise, and to go about your day. It is the quickest form of energy that is burned as pure energy in a short amount of time.  Your muscles function better with the use of starch. Starch is converted to simple sugars to give your brain, heart, and other organs energy to function.

Fat is what goes directly to storage in your body, unless you consume some raw plant fats like those found in raw nuts, an avocado, or olive oil.  These are good fats that your body can easily use. These items will still have extra calories, because fat tends to be 9 calories per gram where starches are only 4 calories per gram. As long as you stay within your calorie limit for the day, that shouldn’t be a problem.

But, if you consume the animal fats that are part of a hamburger, a piece of lean chicken, a glass of milk, cheese, or regular vegetable oils off the grocery store shelves, then those types of fats will get stored on your body immediately. Even if you go on a semi-starvation diet, these items all have plenty of  bad fats that are not good for your heart or waistline. They just get stored on your body leaving you still feeling hungry or craving some sugary dessert for energy.

Learning the truth about starches and fats will help you to not live in fear of wholesome starchy foods that are actually good for you and that help you to have the fuel you need to function normally.  Avoid the fat deception and eat starch. You can get and stay slim best with starch.