Republic of Ireland
Carbs seem to be getting alot of bad press these days! We need carbohydrates in our diet, but just which carbs should we be eating? and how much? it can all be very confusing.
At LighterLife, we apply what we know about food and hunger to help you manage your appetite and related cravings for the best possible results. You will learn about the right foods to keep you fuller for longer and prevent dramatic energy crashes.
When it comes to physical hunger, all foods are not equal. In particular, carbohydrates can have powerful effects on hunger. Understanding how carbs work can really help you manage your appetite and waistline.
Healthy turkey sandwich with swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato. Isolated with soft shadow.
Good carbs
Good carbs are so-called because they are packed full of fibre, so they take longer to digest and are better at keeping physical hunger pangs at bay. There is also evidence that they reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol and improve control of your blood-sugar levels. In turn, this protects against diabetes and heart disease.
‘Good’ carbs include:
– pulses
– wholegrain cereals, including oats and muesli
– wholegrain breads, including chapatti and tortilla
– salads and vegetables, especially leafy greens
– fresh fruit.
Bad carbs
Bad carbs are also referred to as refined or processed carbs. They have typically been through a factory process that has stripped them down, making them easier for the body to break down.
They may taste delicious (and can be incredibly addictive), but these kind of carbs can send blood-sugar soaring and crashing. This makes them an unhealthy choice for those wishing to lose or maintain their weight.
Bad carbs have also been linked to health problems such as heart and liver disease, insulin resistance, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and play a major part in weight gain.
‘Bad ‘carbs include:
– refined white foods such as white rice and white bread
– baked potatoes
– sugary cereals such as cornflakes
– added sugar soft drinks
-cakes, biscuits and sweets.
If you’ve been following our LighterLife Total or Lite weight loss plans, you will then follow our Route to Management programme. On Route to Management, your daily carb intake will be increased gradually and you will learn how to include more helpful carbs into your diet.
