Consuming less fat from animal sources. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates provide energy, help regulate how the body uses fat for energy, and spares protein. Experts suggest that Americans should increase the percent of total daily intake of carbohydrates to approximately 50-60 percent. People should be particularly concerned with increasing their consumption of complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, grains, legumes, and pasta. Many countries of the world already consume as much as 80 percent of their caloric intake for carbohydrates with foods such as rice, bulgur, millet, and cassava.
Protein is important in building, maintaining, and repairing body tissues.
High quality proteins are found in most foods of animal origin. Lower quality proteins are found in foods of vegetable origin and in gelatin. You can combine the lower quality proteins in order to raise the quality of protein you are consuming. Be sure that your daily intake is adequate, but not excessive. Too much protein is not useable and is stored as fat.