There is a big general misunderstanding of what a carb generally is.
What is a carb?
Any plant based food is predominantly a carbohydrate. That means grains, beans, roots, vegetables, fruits, nuts & seeds are all carbohydrates!!!
When it comes to negative high carb foods, such as white beans, white rice, white bread and white pasta, these all have a lower nutritional value. They are refined carbohydrates, which means they have a high glycaemic load on your body which can lead to metabolic problems or conditions such as diabetes.
Knowing What Carbs Are OK to Eat...
The main role of carbs is to boost energy stores within the body. This is all based on your own personal requirements. If you have a highly active job or work out a lot, you will naturally require more carbs to keep your body going.
There have been several diet fads which have sought to replace carbs with red meats and dairy products. These diets, however, put the body at greater risk from other forms of harm. This is because these diets replace energy-boosting carbs with fats high in saturated fat and protein.
What carbs can I eat?
Plant-derived carbs, such as nuts and wholegrains, are not only essential for fibre (keeping your digestive system happy), it also helps regulate your cholesterol levels. Furthermore, different plant sources conain a variet of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants which are essential for long term health & reduction in risk of contracting health-related diseases e.g. diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke and heart attacks.
What swaps can I make?
Try rye crackers over rice cakes.
Mashed celeriac over mashed potato.
Parsnip wedges over sweet potato wedges.
Spelt pasta over white wheat pasta.
Silken tofu or coconut based smoothies over banana ones (bananas have a high concentration of sugars!)
Riced cauliflower or broccoli over white ride.
Keep your eyes peeled for more healthy posts on nutrition, diet & exercise.
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