Stop Being Scared Of Carbs - These Are The Good Ones

Carbs are our primary source of energy (and let’s be real.. happiness) but a lot of us think we need to lower our carb intake as far as it can go when trying to lose weight, and that’s not the case! There are different kind of carbohydrates. While we want to cut out the bad carbs, you still need the good kind! And you’ll benefit from them.

There are three kinds of carbohydrates we consume, and they all affect the body differently. 

1. Simple Carbs: They convert to sugar much faster than their complex partner, which can lead to a spike in blood sugar.

2. Processed Carbs: They also convert to sugar much faster than complex carbs, but they’re worse again! They’re often stripped or completely devoid of any nutritional value. Think fast food and soft drinks.

3. Complex Carbs: Your absolute best friend in the world of carbohydrates. They breakdown more slowly, allowing a more gradual release of energy for your body. They contain fibre and other essential vitamins and minerals required for a healthy body. 

Our bodies need carbs to survive. So, on a weight loss journey, you still need to eat them, but you can make some clever swaps! Load up on the good and cut out the bad.

Some examples of bad carbs are:

• White bread

• White rice

• White pasta

• Flavoured yoghurts

• Potato chips

Try swapping these for the good kind, otherwise known as ‘complex’ carbs:

• Wholegrain bread

• Brown rice or quinoa

• Wholemeal pasta

• Greek yoghurt

• Wholegrain crackers

Since the ‘bad’ carbs can cause a spike in blood sugar, consuming too many of them may give you food cravings from the subsequent ‘crash’ you experience. Just like soft drink and a lot of alcohol, they’re empty calories, so yes, try to limit these, but don’t run from all carbs! The good kind are going to keep you satisfied for longer and help you sustain your weight loss!