There are many myths surrounding consumption of carbohydrates. Carbs are often demonized as being responsible for people becoming overweight, whereas the truth is far more complicated than that. There are different types of carbohydrates, and some of them are very good for you!
Take a look through this gallery to see what the real effects of carbs are, and don't believe the hype!
There are some who believe that only bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes are carbohydrates. However, this is not true. Those mentioned are complex carbohydrates.
The other type of carbs are simple carbohydrates, which are mainly found amongst fruits and vegetables.
Refined carbs, such as white bread, pasta, and rice are not particularly healthy. They should ideally be kept to a minimum.
However, unrefined whole-grain carbs, such as brown rice and pasta, whole-grain bread, and oatmeal, are very good for you.
Absolutely. They are actually the main source of fiber. Cucumbers and carrots are both full of fiber, for example.
Whole-grain breads and beans are full of fiber as well. A soup full of beans and vegetables, with some whole-grain bread on the side, is highly nutritious!
It depends. If you're consuming pizza and white bread every day, then yes, quite possibly. However, there are other carbs that can actually help you lose weight.
If you consume high-fiber carbs, this can speed up your metabolism, which, in turn, can enable you to lose weight.
Even good, whole-grain carbs break down into sugar in the body. However, there is a hugely different effect on your blood sugar between good and bad carbs.
It's always best to avoid as much added, refined sugar as possible—even cutting it out completely. Instead, natural sugars can be obtained from fruit.
Some do, yes. But not all. And some foods that are not carbohydrates contain gluten, such as various sauces, delicatessen meats, and even salad dressing.
However, quinoa and brown rice are both gluten-free, as are many fruits and vegetables. They are also full of essential fiber.
Simply, no. There is no evidence to suggest this. The amount of food consumed is far more significant than whether those foods are carbohydrates.
However, excess protein and salt have been shown to produce this tired, lethargic effect. So be careful if you have a busy schedule to follow!
Absolutely not! You need to have carbs in order to create essential energy for the exercise you will undertake.
But choose your carbs wisely! Stick to whole-grain, and don't overeat. Also, leave a bit of time in between your meal and your workout.
They are both important, and work together to help your body process sugar properly.
Getting your protein in before consuming complex carbs can also help prevent glucose levels in the body from rising too high.
While diets such as keto are very fashionable, there is no evidence to suggest that a a low-carb diet will help you lose weight any more than a more typical diet.
Keto diets are mainly useful for diabetics, as they can help reduce sugar levels in the body.
Not if they are good carbs! Wholewheat pasta with vegetables is a perfectly decent and healthy lunch or dinner choice, for example.
Another good meal option? A straightforward sandwich, as long as it's made with whole-grain bread and includes some fresh salad.
Probably because you're eating too many, and of the wrong kind! A big bowl of white pasta, white rice, or a lot of white bread will make you feel bloated.
However, eating a sensible amount of whole-grain carbs and plenty of fruits and vegetables is far more likely to make you feel comfortably full.
Certainly not! For a start, you should limit the amount of red meat you consume, and a balanced diet is very important.
Also, carbohydrates such as beans and chickpeas are far more filling and less calorific than most meats!
There's no evidence to suggest that this is true. Again, if you stick to good carbohydrates, the time of day that they are consumed is irrelevant.
Therefore there is nothing wrong with having dinner at a reasonable time that incorporates a decent amount of healthy carbs.
Generally, no. There are some exceptions to this, such as kale and broccoli. This is because they are high in insoluble fiber.
However, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables with soluble fiber, such as bell peppers and cucumbers.
Click here to find out how to choose the best fruit and vegetables!
Don't believe these myths surrounding carbs
Not all you have heard is true
FOOD Meals
There are many myths surrounding consumption of carbohydrates. Carbs are often demonized as being responsible for people becoming overweight, whereas the truth is far more complicated than that. There are different types of carbohydrates, and some of them are very good for you!
Take a look through this gallery to see what the real effects of carbs are, and don't believe the hype!