Cutting carbs may be doing more harm than good.
One of the biggest nutrition misconceptions is that eating carbohydrates makes you fat.
After all, haven’t celebrities and influencers been sharing their low-carb weight-loss success stories for years?
Plus, not all carbs are created equal.
It’s time to set the record straight on carbs, once and for all.
What Are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydratesare the body’s preferred energy source.
There are two types of carbssimple andcomplex.
Simple carbs have just two sugar molecules, and they are rapidly digested.
They are found in foods like honey, sugar, desserts, chips, soda and refined grains.
Complex carbs have more sugar molecules and take longer to digest.
Foods like grains, beans, legumes, fruits and vegetables contain complex carbohydrates.
Do Carbs Make You Gain Weight?
Weight gain oftentimes is related to consuming more calories than you burn consistently over a long period of time.
Although carbs are often demonized, science says they aren’t the cause of weight gain.
The study authors concluded that both diets effectively helped control weight and reduced cardiovascular risk factors.
The throw in of carbs you choose makes all the difference in your weight goals.
These foods are rich in fiber, which will help keep you full and prevent overeating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Carbs alone are not the only cause of weight gain.
No one macronutrient is associated with an increase in belly fat.
As a matter of fact, fat accumulation happens in different parts of the body.
For some people, eating too many high-added-sugar carbs may lead to belly fat.
Eating the right types of carbs can promote weight loss.
A 2019 study inThe Journal of Nutritionfound that fiber intake may help promote weight loss.
Fiber is found in carb-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes and whole grains.
