Carbohydrates aka carbs have a bad rap these days. Whether it’s Atkins, South Beach or some other low carb diet, carbs are a common target for criticism. On the one hand you have the AND—the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics—and most of the credible nutrition sources saying that carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy diet. On the other you have all these individual diets or influencers telling people not to eat them. So who’s right? Both sides have a point. Carbohydrates aren’t inherently bad, and you do need them to function, but some carbs are better than others. Let’s explain why by first explaining what carbs are and what they do in your body.
Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients—the other two being protein and fat. Their main function is to provide energy. Carbs are broken down in the mouth and small intestine into smaller units of sugar called glucose, which is what your body uses for energy.
So carbs have a primary purpose: To provide energy for the body. The problem is that different types of carbs do this in different ways and not all these ways are good for us.
You can group carbs as we eat them today into two categories of carbs: unrefined and refined. You can think of them as complex and simple, or unprocessed and processed.
Unrefined, complex carbs are the ones that nutritionists recommend we eat more of (2). These are whole grains, legumes (beans), vegetables, and fruits. They provide energy the same way all carbs do, but it takes more time to break them down so they provide steady energy over a longer period of time.
On the other hand, refined, simple carbs are the ones nutritionists warn against.
Refined carbs go through a process that breaks down their complex structures before they enter our bodies, and then we convert them into pure glucose in a matter of minutes. The problem with this is that it happens very quickly and your body doesn’t have to work at all to break it down because it’s already been partially broken down (6). This typically leads to a quick burst of energy followed by a crash.
All carbs are ultimately broken down into glucose, but the amount and pace makes a difference. Glucose causes your blood sugar levels to increase as it is absorbed into your bloodstream. If you eat more carbs than you can use at one time, your body doesn’t really know what to do with all of it so some of the glucose is converted into fat for storage. Over time, eating too many refined carbs can lead to insulin resistance and obesity (5).
Read More: 1500-Calorie Keto Diet: Cut On Carbs To Shed Some Pounds
There are several reasons why you should avoid refined carbs.
Whole grains (unrefined) consist of three parts: the bran, germ and endosperm. The bran and germ are high in fiber which helps keep you full longer and maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Refined carbs only contain the endosperm (which is mostly starch) and this greatly reduces their fiber content (1).
Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function at its best. Whole grains (unrefined) contain a high concentration of micronutrients such as folate, thiamine, phosphorus, magnesium and niacin (7). Refined carbs contain negligible amounts of these nutrients because they are removed during the refining process. Sometimes some of them are added back, but it’s still not the same as eating the whole grain.
Since refined carbs are converted to glucose very quickly and don’t have much fiber, you tend to get hungry again faster. As a result, people who eat a lot of refined carbohydrates tend to gain weight or have trouble losing it (4). Meanwhile, foods with complex carbs make you feel full longer because the amount of time it takes for your body to break them down into glucose is greater, and the fiber also creates a feeling of fullness.
A diet high in refined carbs has been linked to heart disease and diabetes.
Studies have shown that people who eat a lot of these foods are more likely to develop insulin resistance or to be overweight (3). Refined carbs are also associated with higher triglyceride levels. Conversely, research shows that whole grains may help lower the risk of heart disease by lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels which aids in slowing the buildup of plaque (7).
BetterMe app will provide you with a host of fat-frying fitness routines that’ll scare the extra pounds away and turn your body into a masterpiece! Get your life moving in the right direction with BetterMe!
Here are examples of foods containing refined carbs that you should avoid or limit:
You can use these tips to cut down on refined carbs and have a healthier diet:
The less you eat out, the more control you’ll have over what you eat. Prepare your own meals at home using whole grains (unrefined) whenever possible.
Switch up your white rice for brown, go with oatmeal instead of cream of wheat or cream of rice, and try some barley or quinoa in place of the rice. Swap your white bread and white pasta for whole wheat. You can also use whole grains (unrefined) such as wheat berries, brown rice or quinoa in your cooking to add some variety and fiber to your diet.
You can find refined carbs in the most unlikely places so it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Keep an eye out for these words on your food labels: “enriched flour”, “wheat flour”, “multigrain”, etc. If you don’t see the word “whole,” it’s most likely a refined carb.
Read More: Carbs Before Bed: What Does Science Say?
Refined carbs are more abundant in processed foods. By cooking more at home and going for whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible you can avoid refined carbs.
Restaurants use refined carbs for their convenience and because they are cheaper. When you dine out try to stick with restaurants that offer healthier options or ask your server what’s in the dish so you can make an educated choice.
If you’re a fan of sweet foods and drinks, you can still have them with zero calorie sweeteners such as sucralose. These may be easier options than trying to cut down on sugar but they aren’t necessarily healthier, so you can also go for the occasional treat and avoid overindulging.
They may be low in calories but they are also low in nutrients. Plus, some people tend to eat more of these foods than regular ones so you’re better off staying away from them completely.
Betterme will keep you laser-focused on your weight loss journey! Nutrient-packed meal plans, fat-blasting workouts, galvanizing challenges and much more. Try using the app and see for yourself!
Manufacturers are required to list the total amount of sugar on a food label but there are different forms of sugar that can be used. Here are a few tips to help you identify and avoid hidden sugars:
Once you know common names of sugars, you can spot them on food labels. Here are some common ones:
Lots of times these types of sugar are listed near the bottom because they’re in smaller quantities than the first ingredients listed. When a food label lists more than one form of sugar, the first ingredient is the one with the highest quantity.
Not all carbs are created equal. Some carbs provide energy slowly while others provide it quickly, leading to fat gain and eventually insulin resistance if they make up a large portion of your diet in the long-term.
Refined carbs in particular are to be limited, as they are quickly converted into glucose, raising your blood sugar levels.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not serve to address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on for making any kind of decision-making. Any action taken as a direct or indirect result of the information in this article is entirely at your own risk and is your sole responsibility.
BetterMe, its content staff, and its medical advisors accept no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors, misstatements, inconsistencies, or omissions and specifically disclaim any liability, loss or risk, personal, professional or otherwise, which may be incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and/or application of any content.
You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your specific situation. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of BetterMe content. If you suspect or think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor.