By Paula Bowers-Sanchez

How many times have we heard that eliminating carbs from our diet will result in weight loss?

Well, studies have shown that drastically cutting carbs, or totally eliminating them, can cut your thyroid function by 50 percent.

That’s not good.

Your thyroid acts as your metabolic thermostat by releasing hormones that play a major role in regulating both body temperature and the rate of caloric burn. So in order to keep your thyroid functioning properly, you should keep good carbs in your diet.

What are good carbs? Good carbs are foods like whole grains, vegetables and beans.

Another way to keep your metabolism up is by eating small meals every two to three hours. The meal should consist of one protein, one carb or fat (the portion should be about the size of your fist) and vegetables. Or you can substitute a “meal replacement” shake (protein shake) as a meal.

It sounds contradictory, right? But it’s true. You have to eat more frequently to lose weight. When you skip meals, your metabolism will slow down. So do not skip meals. By simply eating, you stimulate your metabolism by triggering digestion. And every time your body digests food, you are burning calories.

Think of it this way: Your body is a furnace, and in order to keep that furnace burning, you have to keep the fire going with fuel.

Also keep this in mind: The more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn (even while you’re sleeping). So it’s very important to have some type of resistance (weight) training in your weight-loss plan.

Remember, we are only given one body, and it’s up to us to keep that body in good running condition. Treat your body like a prized possession. And most importantly, be mindful of what you’re putting in your fuel tank.