By Sara
Ever wonder why carbohydrates have such a bum rap? Are they truly food that should cause concern? Or are they the unsung heroes of nutrition? Perhaps a little of each, depending on how you look at things.
Carbohydrates are used for energy right away, whereas fat is how we store energy. Carbs are broken down by our bodies into glucose to be used for fuel. My brain and red blood cells are reliant on glucose for energy and to properly function. (Yours are too, by the way– mine aren’t special). It’s just so much easier for our bodies to use carbs for energy and store fat as fat.
First, let me say that when I advocate for consumption of carbs, I am not talking white rice, sugar-sweetened cereals and doughnuts. These foods have had all their nutrition stripped from them. They are naked carbs.
The carbs I’m referring to are the sexy, complex variety, and are whole plant foods. Sweet potatoes, kale, and quinoa. Oranges, broccoli and farro. Whole plant foods that are minimally processed and therefore are “packaged” with all the delicious protein and fiber, both of which help keep you full and satisfied, and can even help you to lose weight.
“The carbs I’m referring to are the sexy, complex variety, and are whole plant foods.”
The protein and fiber that whole plant foods contain has another benefit: they help to slow digestion, preventing spikes in blood sugars, which is why even many diabetics can thrive on this way of eating. So not all carbs are equal, and the carb heroes are the whole plant foods (aka complex carbs). Complex carbs help you to feel satiated and helps to curb cravings.
High fat diets are associated with obesity, as well as cardiac disease and diabetes. People who follow the low carb craze are 50% more likely to die of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, and 35% more likely to have cancer.
Conversely, in the Blue Zones, where the healthiest, longest lived people in the world reside, they thrive on diets made of up to 85% carbs! And these people are truly thriving in their golden years, they remain vibrant and able-bodied, have very low rates of obesity, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and almost no diabetes and cancer.
So, try eating 100 calories of whole plant foods (such as 3 cups of broccoli or 50 spinach leaves). You’d get to eat a fair amount. Compare that to 100 calories of meat (2 ½ strips of bacon). 100 calories of cheese is roughly ¼ cup of shredded cheese, and 100 calories of oil is only 2 ½ teaspoons! This illustrates calorie density. Oil is the most calorie dense food, but you get to eat very little for 100 calories. Let me tell you, if I’m hungry, I’m eating all the veggies!
An extra bonus is that the salad will be easily digested, as opposed to the meat or cheese and oil which often leave you bloated and uncomfortable, as well as feeling like you need a nap. The veggies have me ready to take on my next challenge, and satisfied until my next meal.
As you can see, I am all about Team Carbs! Hopefully after reading this, you will be too, and will add more sexy, whole plant foods to your plate!
Ready to add more plants to your plate? Download our free guide to making this transition below:
