Stop being afraid of carbohydrates!

If you are confused about how to eat healthy and the role of carbohydrates in healthy eating, this post contains all you need to know.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about carbohydrates and weight gain. Carbohydrates or carbs aren't entirely terrible for you because their numerous health benefits are essential to your diet. In fact, without carbs in your diet, your body will struggle to function correctly.?

Kounsel Live hosted Kristin Hagen, a registered dietitian, to talk about how carbohydrates fit into a healthy diet. Learn more about the nutritional benefits of carbs and how to incorporate them into a balanced diet.

What are Carbohydrates?

The name?carbohydrate?simply is a combination of carbon and water. It merely means?hydrated carbon.?All the food we eat can be divided into carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Every food we eat contains two of these elements in varying quantities. However, we use?carbs?to refer to foods that are primarily carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of fuel. They are converted by the body into glucose, which powers the brain and muscles. Carbohydrates supply 4 calories per gram of carbs.

Plant foods are the primary source of carbohydrates. Another source is lactose, a milk sugar found in dairy products like cheese and yogurt. Dietary fiber foods like bread, pasta, beans, potatoes, rice, and cereals are all great sources of carbohydrates.??

Are carbs good or bad?

Carbs are suitable for the body. However, it depends on the kind of carbs as some are healthy for the body while others are grossly unhealthy. This is why there are two types of carbs: refined and unrefined.

Before now, unrefined carbs like whole grain, vegetables, fruits, dairy foods, and nuts were what we ate. However, because of several lifestyle trends and manufacturing technologies, we have taken these carbs and refined them because it allows manufacturers to extend their shelf life and maximize profit.

Refined carbs include refined sugars and refined grains. Examples of refined sugars include white sugar, corn syrup, brown sugar, and other forms of added sugar. Refined grains include white rice, white flour, and the many products, snacks, and pastries made from it.

This is important because nutrients are removed in the process of refining carbs, leaving refined carb foods with empty calories. So, if you are looking for wholesome foods, go for unrefined carbs, as they are more nutritious.

How unrefined carbs improve your diet

Unlike refined carbs that are unhealthy, eating unrefined carbs has a lot of benefits. Whereas refined carbohydrates cause problems, unrefined/complex carbs do the opposite.

One of the benefits of complex carbs is that they are nutrient-dense, so you get a lot of nutrient-packed in fewer calories.?Unrefined carbs are filling and satisfying so that you do not have to overeat. They also reduce health risks like weight gain, heart diseases, and other associated conditions.

Can you lose weight with a carbohydrate meal?

Absolutely! Adding unrefined carbs to your plate can help you look weight. When you eat complex carbs, you are getting food that is high in fiber and nutrients, so it takes longer for it to digest.?The longer it takes to digest, the fuller it makes you feel and you do not crave food.

When you are not eating a lot, you can maintain a healthy weight. This is unlike refined carbs that only make you feel more hungry.

It is also vital to ensure that you eat a healthy ratio of complex carbs, protein, and healthy fat. When you combine this with exercising and a sustainable lifestyle modification, you will lose weight. You can also work with Kristin to develop a personalized weight loss model.

About Kristin Hagen

Kristin is a registered dietitian and a registered nurse. She provides her clients with evidence-based knowledge and tools to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and enjoy greater wellness. Feel free to reach out to her in the Kounsel app.

Kristin's profile: https://kounsel.io/c/kristin.hagen