Are Carbs Really the Enemy?

Within the fitness community, there is a common misconception and many myths that one of the most important macronutrients is an enemy we all need to avoid and that is carbohydrates.

In fact, there is so much false information circling around that the idea of low-carb diets in order to avoid ‘putting on extra fat’ that products like the Atkins Diet and the Blood Sugar Diet are genuine things that people spend their money on. Not only is this extremely silly it also put your health at risk!

In order to make things clear, we are going to be stating the facts and debunking these myths.

Not Created Equally

Carbohydrates are found in a range of different foods and can affect the body in various different ways. For example, you can find refined carbs in junk food like biscuits, cakes, sugars, and white foods like bread and pasta are made up of something known as simple sugars and can be digested extremely quickly by our body, causing our blood sugar to rise and fall suddenly.

The term ‘empty calories’ can be used when referencing this food group. You also have complex carbohydrates which contain lots of fibre and are digested slowly so can provide the body with a lot of energy. Plus, these tend to make us feel fuller for longer which makes them much more nutritionally beneficial.

Vegetables

Did you know that the vast majority of vegetables contain carbs? Yes! So, if we are told to actively avoid consuming carbohydrates like bread and rice, then why aren’t we avoiding vegetables too? Well, whilst vegetables do contain carbohydrates they are also made up of vital vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants so we would be silly to cut them from our diet!

It is safe to say that without carbohydrates our bodies would be put at serious risk. After all, we need them in order to fuel bodily activity from things as simple as breathing to strenuous exercise like jogging and to increase our energy levels.

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