Should I eat carbs?

The Keto diet is all the rage and before that, it was Atkins. Cutting carbs from your meals has been a fad diet for decades, believing that the key to weight loss is to remove a staple macronutrient from our diet. But does this actually work? Should we really be eliminating carbs from what we eat? 

Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients our bodies require in order to function optimally.  Food contains three components: staches, sugars and fiber. The breakdown of carbohydrates creates a product called glucose that can be stored in our liver or muscles as glycogen, and when our storage is full, glucose becomes fat. Carbohydrates come in 2 types, simple and complex. Simple carbs are broken down and absorbed very quickly in the body, raising blood glucose levels quickly. Complex carbs are more involved and take longer to digest leading to a much slower release of glucose into our bloodstream. These carbs provide more sustained energy and keep us fuller longer.

So how did carbs get such a bad rap? Because it is true that certain types of carbohydrates in excess can cause weight gain, however, other types of carbohydrate-rich foods are vital components of our diet and can actually aid in weight LOSS.  Carbs that should be avoided and can add unwanted pounds include simple, refined and highly processed carbs like white breads, pastas, crackers, cookies, sodas, juices, etc. These carbohydrates quickly fill the storage in our liver and muscles and then the additional carbs get converted to fat. Because these foods are broken down so quickly and cause our blood sugar to spike, we often feel hungry not too long after and consume more. 

Keep carbs in your diet and pounds off!

• Fill up on Fiber! Carbs that are nutritious and add value to our diet are high fiber carbs. These are complex carbs that break down slowly throughout the day and help to keep you fuller for longer. These carbs include foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts and seeds.

• Carbs are more than just bread and pasta! Carbs are found in the form of starchy vegetables. These vegetables, like sweet potatoes and peas, are loaded with so many of the other nutrients we need including vitamins and minerals. Adding a baked sweet potato with you morning or afternoon meal will keep you feeling fuller longer and fill your nutrient needs early in the day. 

• Join our FREE Metabolism Masterclass to learn how to eat carbs without them affecting your waistline! Click here to sign up!