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How to choose your carbs wisely in 2019

December 21, 2018 09:57 IST

The problem is not how much you consume, but how often you consume the wrong carbs.

 

Pic used for representational purpose only. Photograph: Courtesy Tess Holliday/Instagram

The thought of giving up pasta and bread in an effort to shed a few kilos might seem like an unfair punishment, but according to various studies, eating the 'right' kind of carbs can keep us healthier. 

Carbohydrates are some of the most important things we consume. 

They are a key to regulating blood sugar and providing energy throughout our bodies and without them, our bodies will rely on protein, breaking it down for energy instead of using it in its preferred role of growing and maintaining tissues. 

'The people who live the longest, healthiest lives -- who have the lowest rates of diabetes, heart disease and cancer -- their diets are all rich in healthy carbs, including beans, legumes, whole grains and fruits,' Tamara Duker Freuman, a dietitian told CNN. 

Simply, the problem is not that we consume carbs, it's that we often consume the wrong kinds of carbs and very large portions of them. 

Nutrition experts say that breaking carb carvings is not about getting rid of carbs entirely, but rather cutting back on highly processed fast-acting carbs and eating more high-quality ones that are high in fibre and low in added sugars, such as beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. 

By cutting starchy carbs and replacing them with foods that have a more modest impact on blood sugar, one can achieve steadier blood sugar control and better mange the cravings. 

'Many high-fat foods are luscious and do not cause insulin release, so they keep your blood sugar much more stable,' explained the researcher. 

Examples include nuts, nut butter, avocado, olive oil, dark chocolate and full-fat dairy. 

'When you are eating them, you don't miss the processed carbs at all.  

Source: ANI