There can be quite a lot of confusion surrounding carbohydrates. On one had you’re told that eating too much in the way of carbs can cause you to gain weight. On the other hand you’re told that carbs provide you with energy.
So let’s have a closer look at the types of carbs. First of all, processed carbs in the form of white bread and pasta contains refined grains. Basically it means they’ve been stripped of many important nutrients such as B vitamins, iron and fibre. So why does this happen in the first place? Well, people prefer the taste of white, processed grains.
Brown carbs such as brown rice and grains are in a more natural state so are still rich in nutrients such as vitamins, fibre and antioxidants. The problem is that many people don’t like the taste of these brown carbs as they’ve been brought up eating white carbs.
Which should you choose?
The overwhelming evidence is that whole grains are far superior for your health when compared to processed carbs. Whole grains have been linked to the prevention of some kinds of cancer and heart disease.
They’re also better for balancing your blood sugar levels as the sugar is slowly released into your body. With white refined carbs you’ll get a spike in sugar levels followed by a slump.
How do you know you’re buying whole grains?
First of all, have a look at the details on the packaging. You should be looking for words such as “whole grain” and “whole wheat”. You can also look at the product itself to see if there are any whole grains in it.
Are they good for weight loss?
Yes. Because of the increased levels of fibre, you’ll find you get fuller quicker and for longer. This in turn means you eat less and eating less means ingesting fewer calories.
Appetite is often the major hurdle when losing weight which is why weight loss pills contain appetite suppressants.
What types of food are made from Wholegrain?
You’ll find a variety of foods contain whole grains including:
- Breakfast cereals
- Brown rice
- Bread
- Bulger
- Corn
- Pasta
- Oatmeal
- Wild rice
Are whole grains good for everyone?
The only real problem with whole grains is the gluten content. Some people are intolerant to gluten which in turn causes problems with digestion and the absorption of nutrients. If you think you have a problem with gluten then you can easily buy gluten-free alternatives in the supermarket. If you try this diet for a couple of weeks and see an improvement then you should continue.
how grains are processed