Carbohydrates (or ‘carbs’ for short) are being unfairly blamed for Australia’s rising obesity levels. Because sugar is a carb, it might seem like a good idea to eliminate all carbs from your diet. In reality, carbs contain key nutrients that the human body requires to function properly. Here are five dietitian-approved carbs that most people should definitely stick with.
It's Official: Australia And New Zealand Have The Fastest Growing Obesity Rate On Earth
A new global study of international obesity rates has painted a porky picture of Australasia, which is now the fastest growing region in the world. Since 1980, Australian and New Zealand obesity rates have leapt from 16 per cent to a whopping 29 per cent. In Australia, an estimated 11 million adults are now overweight along with nearly a quarter of our kids.
Read moreIt’s time to stop treating ‘carb’ like a dirty word. While it’s true that low-carb diets such as Keto, Atkins and Whole 30 can result in rapid weight loss, it potentially comes at the expense of your inner health. Vitamins and nutrients that our brains and bodies need – including magnesium, calcium and potassium – are a lot harder to come by outside of a carb-inclusive diet.
Business Insider recently spoke to Sara Seidelmann, a cardiologist and nutrition researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital about the reality of healthy carbs. Here are five carbohydrates that have been given her tick of approval.
Whole grains
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Unlike processed grains, whole grains have outer shells of bran and germ that provide protein and fibre, which help keep you full.
Eating whole grains also lowers your chances of suffering a stroke, helps regulate blood pressure, and reduces your risk of developing diabetes, according to the Cleveland Clinic. To incorporate more whole grains into your diet, look for breads and pastas that are “100% whole wheat” or “100% whole grain.” Remember, wheat flour is only about 25% whole wheat.
Also remember that whole grains aren’t limited to wheat, oats, and brown rice. Try some high-fibre barley, crunchy quinoa,Ethiopian teff, or wild rice.
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Image: Getty Images
Image: Getty Images
Image: Getty Images
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I ate bananas instead of pizzas and other alternatives and was amazed that bananas are dismissed as an option by some people when I am struggling temptation to eat my favourite fruit instead of fast food and it’s a bit discouraging to feel undermined by a perceived pecking order in fruit.
In the end I win by showing a weight loss but I could have used the support rather than be lectured on food choices in fruit. I had previously thought ANY fruit is better than fast food.
They left out honey, the ultimate carbohydrate. Not only does it not spike blood sugar but it regulates it. Do a little research and look up the HYMN Cycle (Honey-Melatonin Cycle) and The Hibernation Diet, which also recommends fruit. It’s not so much a ‘diet’ as a way to ensure your body and brain are topped up with glycogen throughout the day.