Carbs or No Carbs? What’s the Real Deal?

Lisa Franchi February 18, 2015

Carbs – it’s a big NO-NO to many dieters. Eating carbs, for a lot of people, means consuming tons of calories and gaining weight. Even some popular diet programmes discourage eating carbohydrates. To lose weight, we have always been told to favour protein-rich, low-fat meals and get away from carbs.

But does carb really deserve the bad rap? Does it have any health benefit? Doesn’t your body need it?

Well, the truth is that we shouldn’t avoid carbs at all. However, we need to be able to identify good carbs from the bad ones. Yes, not all carbs are created equal. There are basically two types of carb – complex and simple. And you want to opt for the complex ones which can be found on whole produce like beans, sweet potatoes, quinoa, bananas, berries, and many others. Simple carbs, on the other hand, are those made from refined grains like white bread and rice, pastries, crisps, and processed foods.

So don’t fret about the thought of eating potatoes or squash. You need the complex carbohydrate they contain. Plus, such foods are also a good source of many other nutrients that your body needs.

So what are the major benefits of adding carbs to your regular diet?

Carbs help balance your mood.

Many reports suggest that people who are into a low-carb diet often report feeling more stressed, fatigued and irritable even when their diet results in weight loss. And one reason why is that carbohydrates are essential to the body’s production of serotonin – the “feel good” chemical that is responsible for positive feelings. One study suggests that low-carb dieters reported a worsening of their moods over time, as compared to low-fat dieters.

It’s good for your brain.

Just like your body, your brain also feeds on carbohydrates to function at its fullest. A small 2008 study by Tufts University found that low-carb dieters scored worse on a series of memory tests than those following a low-calorie but nutrient-balanced diet. And when the low-carb participants started eating carbs again, their brains quickly bounced back to normal.

It’s a good workout food.

If you don’t get enough of carbohydrates whilst being physically active, your body uses protein instead as a fuel source, depriving your muscles of the nutrient they need to recover and build. Eating carbohydrates to replenish the fuel lost after workout can result to speedy recovery, more energy, and better performance in the gym.

It can prevent weight gain, and even boost weight loss.

Think it would make you fat? Think again. Scientists from Brigham Young University in Utah followed the eating habits of middle-aged women for nearly two years and found that those who increased their fibre intake generally lost weight. Women who decreased the fibre in their diets gained. Complex carbohydrates contain dietary fibre, which aids in weight loss and management.

Carbs are good for your heart.

Increasing your consumption of soluble-fibre, which is present in complex carbohydrates like oatmeal and other whole grains, can lower the levels of bad cholesterol in your body, which in turn lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.