With all the talk about low-carb diets, paleo diets, and ketogenic diets, it’s easy to start thinking that ALL carbs are the enemy and must be avoided. And there are plenty of bad carbs out there (think white bread, sugar, desserts, etc.)! That doesn’t, however, mean you have to completely eliminate all carbs from your diet in an effort to burn fat fast, especially when you choose the RIGHT sources of healthy carbs. In fact, there are some good carbs you’ll want to make sure are part of your regular nutrition plan if you want to bust belly fat.

Below are my top 4 choices of belly-blasting carbs. They’ll leave you full and satisfied, while helping take you closer toward your fat-loss goals to boot!

Top 4 Healthy Carbs

#4 Sprouted Grain Bread

Sprouted grain breads, like Ezekiel 4:9 bread (one of the most popular brands of sprouted grain bread), are a great way to include bread in your diet without all the issues associated with white breads and even 100% whole-wheat breads.

You see, Ezekiel bread is organic, sprouted, 100% whole-grain, flourless bread. A 2-slice serving contains a full 8 grams of complete protein and 6 grams of fiber, so you don’t need to give up the bread. Just choose the right kind!

#3: Berries & Cherries

Berries like blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries (though not technically a berry) are some of the BEST healthy carbs you can eat. They are high in fiber, packed with antioxidants, and score extremely low on the glycemic index (GI)—especially cherries, which come with a GI of just 22.

I enjoy fresh berries for dessert several times a week, and it’s an awesome, nutritious way to finish off any meal. Great as a snack, too! Try them on top of Greek yogurt… Mmm… 🙂

#2 Quinoa

While brown rice is thought to be the healthy grain, there’s one that’s even better—quinoa.

Quinoa is a gluten-free grain that contains double the protein of brown rice along with more fiber and a lower glycemic load.

Not only that, but quinoa is the ONLY grain to contain complete protein and the full spectrum of amino acids, the building blocks of muscle. It comes in several varieties, including “oatmeal-like” flakes and its whole-grain “rice-like” form.

Enjoy it as an oatmeal substitute for breakfast, in salads or casseroles, or as a wholesome whole-grain, high-protein side item to any lunch or dinner meal.

#1: Beans, Lentils and Other Legumes

Beans and lentils, part of the “legume” family, just may be my #1 choice for healthy carbs. Packed with loads of fiber and protein, these guys come in so many different varieties you’ll never get bored: lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, black beans, red beans, kidney beans, navy beans, butter beans, lima beans, pinto beans… the list goes on.

Because of their fiber and protein content, along with their versatility, I eat something from the legume family in at least one of my meals daily. I’d highly recommend you do the same!

Next time you’re struggling with a carb craving, reach for one of these belly busters instead of the usual fare. You’ll suffer no post-carb guilt because you’re continuing to push yourself closer toward your fitness and fat-loss goals.