Dietitians Dish: Carbs Are Not The Enemy
With so much conflicting nutrition advice out there, it can become overwhelming trying to figure out what we should and shouldn’t be eating. One day we are told something is healthy for us, and the next day we’re told it’s not. Carbohydrates have often been targeted by dieters as unhealthy, but a new article from Yahoo! Shine is full of advice from nutritionists and dietitians, and tells us why carbs are not the enemy. Kelly Pritchett, PhD, RD, and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics said, “Carbs should make up the majority of your diet, especially if you’re active.”
Pritchett goes on further to say that cutting out carbs can greatly impact your weight-loss efforts since they are a primary source of energy for brain function and during exercise. Without consuming carbs prior to a workout, our bodies are unable to reach that same level of intensity had we consumed carbs. Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, cutting out carbs can be harmful to your overall health and mindset. A year-long study found that people on a low-carb diet reported feeling angrier and more depressed than those on a low-fat diet did.
Still not 100% convinced that carbs belong in a healthy diet? We pulled together some other quick facts from the article that explain the benefits of carbs:
- Carbs produce the hormone serotonin, which balances and boosts your emotions
- Your brain needs 130 grams a day of carbs to function properly
- Complex carbs (such as pasta!) provide a slow release of energy- keeping you energized throughout the day
- Carbs provide the quickest blood sugar boost for your body
To easily incorporate more carbs into your diet, check out our Recipe Page for quick, delicious, meal ideas. Or, if you’d like to learn more about carbs, be sure to visit our Nutrition Page.