These are the best and worst carbs for your health
I grew up in a very weight and nutrition conscious household. My mom’s idea of a “treat” in my lunches was an occasional fruit snack, our after dinner indulgence was usually a cup of tea with a pinch of honey and we were never ever allowed to utter the “C” word…you know, carbs! Throughout my life I’ve heard so much hype about carbs being the devil where weight management and health are concerned. But as I’ve become more educated on fitness and nutrition I’ve come to realize that we’ve been misinformed. Listen up, mom – carbs are not the enemy, in fact they can actually be a dieter’s ally when chosen correctly.
OK – so what exactly makes a carb a “good carb”? Well according to Toronto based naturopathic doctor and weight loss expert, Dr. Regan Tessis, the criteria is simple. “The best carbs to choose for weight loss are high fibre and low glycemic, meaning that they won’t spike insulin and blood sugar levels,” she says. When I asked her if we could include “fun” carbs like popcorn and sweet potato fries, she explained that, if we’re being totally honest, those examples don’t make the cut, but also explained that for every food that did make the list, there are fun and creative ways to turn them into something delicious. OK then!
When it comes to the worst carbs – I’m sure nothing on this list will come as a huge surprise – but it never gets easier to digest (no pun intended). The “no” list is full of delicious and common foods and drinks we all consume mindlessly all the time. So, what makes them bad for us? As Tessis explains, “The worst carbs for weight loss are those that spike blood sugar and insulin quickly, leading to increased hunger and fat storage.”
Scroll through the gallery above for a rundown of the carbs you should embrace and also the ones you should ditch permanently.
