Do carbohydrates deserve the bad reputation?

Looking into the myth that carbs are the enemy.

Fact: The body receives 4 calories per 1 gram of carbohydrates consumed.

Does that mean eating an entire bag of potato chips is bad? Yes. Should people eliminate carbs from their diet? Absolutely not. Carbs should make up about half of the calories in your diet. You crave them because they are delicious, but your body wants them because they are useful for your health. They provide energy for consumers. According to the United States department of Agriculture, eating grains reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and helps with weight management.

Elimination is not the answer. With all of these benefits it’s amazing that anyone would suggest total elimination of carbohydrates. Instead, diets should focus on finding what balance works best for your body. The goal of this blog is to help my reader understand that diets don’t have to be hard and stressful. Diets should be harmonious and make you feel like you are improving yourself from the inside out.  With that said, we are not eliminating carbs.

What can you do? It all comes down to making healthy choices when picking your carbs. Instead of a doughy loaf of white bread, get something more crusty and full of whole grains. Personally, I think the flavor is better anyway so you won’t be missing out on much. Whole grain breads and snacks will make what you are eating healthier without having to limit your consumption. Consider starting your day with whole grains, because how many times have you heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. There are tons of alternatives to a greasy bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel. Instead of stuffing yourself with that, try multigrain cereal or old-fashioned oatmeal. 

For a fast and delicious breakfast recipe try Apple Harvest Oatmeal courtesy of the Food Network. So next time you feel famished by 11:30 a.m. because your breakfast isn’t cutting it, consider the fact that you could have had a delicious, healthy and satisfying breakfast full of whole grain goodness.