Carbs; are they good or bad?

When we hear and talk about carbs we often are talking about bread and pasta or anything “bad.” This is a sensitive subject for me because there are good carbs out there. Why do we generalize all carbs? Often, I think it is due to misinformation. My first suggestion is to not stop eating carbs just cut down or cut out the bad ones.

To help this all make more sense, vegetables, fruits, beans and grains that are categorized in the “good carbs” category are complex carbs. The white breads or pastries, pasta, chips fried foods, these are simple carbs. Think of it like this, complex carbs are the foods that have the least amount of ingredients but the most vitamins and minerals thus the name “complex carbohydrates”. The bad carbs, the simple carbs, these are all processed items but with one main ingredient, sugar. I learned at an early age that white bread alone as soon as it touches our salivary glands breaks down and turns into sugar. My dad has always told me and even today “the whiter the bread, the quicker your dead.” Morbid yes, but absolutely true.

There are many books out there these days that can help identify between the good and bad carbs as well as many recipes for healthier options. If you have the means, a great first step is making homemade bread or as many meals as possible instead of purchasing at the grocery store. Mass produced bread can cause digestive issues and since I am one of those people who has bad flare ups, making homemade bread has helped so much. Plus, I know exactly what is going into the bread and other food I make myself. Honestly, if you’ve had it, you know what I’m talking about, there’s nothing like a fresh warm slice of homemade bread.

If you are looking for more guidance with your nutrition, schedule an appointment with Veronica today!