Are carbohydrates bad for you?
This is a question I get asked a lot, over the years some fab diets have made carbs our best friend or our enemy but if we break down what carbs are and what we need them for, it will give you a better outlook on them and allow you to see that carbs can be our friend.
So lets breakdown carbs;
☞What are carbohydrates? Carbohydrates are one of three macronutrients - along with proteins and fats that your body requires daily. There are three main types of carbohydrates: starches, fibre, and sugars.
☞Starches are often referred to as complex carbohydrates. They are found in grains legumes and starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn.
☞Sugars are known as simple carbohydrates. There are natural sugars in vegetables, fruits, milk, and honey. Added sugars are found in processed foods, syrups, sugary drinks, and sweets.
Why do you need carbohydrates?: Carbohydrates are your body's main source of energy (this is very important to remember). Carbs are broken down to glucose which is used for energy by our body's cells. They help fuel your brain, kidneys, heart muscles, and central nervous system.
So what happens if we cut carbs out of our diet or if we are on a carbohydrate-deficient diet? Well, it may cause headaches, fatigue, weakness, difficulty concentrating, nausea, constipation, bad breath and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
But your body can store extra carbohydrates in your muscles and liver for use when you're not getting enough carbohydrates in your diet so the effects you might not get until your body has reached an unhealthy level.
☞What are some healthy sources of carbohydrates? To get the most benefits of carbohydrates, you should choose carbohydrates loaded with nutrients.
☞Healthy carbohydrate-rich foods (12 grams of carbohydrates or more per serving) include:
Whole grains: quinoa, barley, brown rice, oatmeal, whole-grain pasta and whole-grain breakfast cereals
Fruits: berries, citrus fruits, melons, apples, pears, bananas and kiwifruit
Starchy vegetables: sweet potatoes, yams, corn. peas and carrots
Legumes: lentils, black beans, pinto beans, navy beans, chickpeas and soybeans
Milk products: low-fat milk, plain yoghurt and soy yoghurt
☞ Healthy foods lower in carbohydrates (Less than 10 grams per serving) include:
Nonstarchy vegetables: leafy greens, spinach, cabbage, asparagus, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini and mushrooms
Nuts and seeds: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts and pistachios
Soy milk and tofu
☞The bottom line: Carbs are good for us and can be our friend if eaten in the correct amounts and also we should avoid added sugar, processed foods, refined grains (like white bread), sodas, other sugary drinks, and sweets as much as possible.
So make friends with carbs and let's get you feeling great and buzzing with all that energy.
Come join the V2 Evolution.
Coach Bruno
Become The Better Version Of You.
