You must have heard this conversation before:

Person A: Man I need to lose some weight!!!

Person B: You need to cut the carbs buddy!

Since when did ‘carbohydrates a.k.a carbs’ became so controversial? When actually, about half of our daily caloric requirements come from carbs. While we are not going to argue on whether carbs are good for you or bad for you, but in this blog, we will differentiate between Good and Bad Carbs: –

Carbs are one of the 3 macronutrients that are included in our diet. The other two are Proteins and Fats.

There are 3 main categories of Carbs: a. Sugar b. Starches and c. Fibre.

What is the main purpose of carbs? Carbs are broken down in the body into glucose, which again is used as energy. In addition, they are stored as ‘fat’ in the body to be used later.

Good Carbs vs Bad Carbs: Good Carbs are food items that are high in fibre, which makes them take longer to be broken down by the body. Sources of good carbs include – whole-grain bread, vegetables, fruits and products made from whole-wheat flour.

Bad Carbs are items that are low in fibre and includes sugar. This includes items such as – Cakes, Cookies and other products made from processed white flour and even some cereals.

Let us dive little deep into Good Carbs vs Bad Carbs:

Good Carbs –

• Slowly digested by the body, which is why it keeps you full for a longer period. Also, does not spike your blood sugar instantly.
• The natural ingredients are not removed, thereby making it unprocessed. E.g. – Whole grain cereals & bread, vegetables & fruits and items made from whole-wheat flour and many more.
• Since it does not raise your blood sugar instantly, it helps reduce the risk of diabetes, heart diseases, obesity and many more.
• Promotes healthy digestion.

Sources of Good Carbs: Vegetables, fruit, pulses, legumes, unsweetened dairy products, and unprocessed whole grains, like brown rice, quinoa, wheat, and oats.

Bad Carbs –

• Quickly digested, which causes a sudden spike in blood sugar
• Triggers a spike in insulin secretion, often leads to increased storage of body fat
• Processed food which increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and even heart diseases

Sources of Bad Carbs: White rice or white flour, sugary cereals, White bread, French fries, Fried white-flour tortillas .etc.

What do you think? Is carb the culprit behind your extra pounds? Or we should be making a more planned approach to a balanced diet? Share your thoughts with us and don’t forget to give us a thumbs up!!!

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Disclaimer: This blog is not a medical journal and people dealing with any ailments or issues should seek consultation from a certified physician only!