Wednesday, August 13, 2008

6 Guilt-Free Reasons to Love Carbs



Look, we all love our carbs. I mean, who doesn't? Who doesn't love their sandwiches or hamburgers with bread or a bun? Or what about pasta or a muffin? Well there are now a few reason why we should love our carbs, and not have to feel guilty about it. It’s time to give up the carb guilt. When we pack on the pounds, we often blame it on eating too many carbohydrates. But not all carbs are loaded with starchy calories. And if you severely limit how many carbs you eat — to the point where even a dry cracker seems like a splurge — you’ll be missing some of the tastiest, most nutritious, and, yes, most slimming foods around. When was the last time you had the flu and craved a steak? When we don’t feel well, we usually reach for the comforting starches such as pasta and rice we were given as kids. Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain breads and cereals with oats or other whole grains, stimulate the brain to produce a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Serotonin is the feel-good hormone that helps regulate our mood, sleep and appetite. It also helps fight pain. Other serotonin-inducing carbs include whole wheat pastas, brown rice, bulgur and sweet potatoes. Doughnuts may never be health food, but carbohydrates typically contain only four calories per gram. Most foods that are naturally high in complex carbohydrates (broccoli, red, green and yellow peppers, beans, corn and brown rice) are not calorie-dense, yet they are filling and satisfying. That’s why cutting carbs from your diet when you’re trying to lose weight can be counter-productive. A recommended serving is either one slice of bread, 1/3 cup of rice or 1/2 cup of cooked cereal such as oatmeal. If you want to fight hunger pangs, make room for resistant starch in your diet. Resistant starch is a kind of dietary fiber found in many carbohydrates like potatoes, barley and beans. Resistant starches are formed when these foods are cooked and cooled, such as cooked-and-chilled potatoes. This nutrient may play a significant role in promoting weight loss by helping stave off cravings. Although it’s not clear how much resistant starch we need each day, it can improve blood sugar levels and may even protect against certain cancers.

Original Article

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