Carbs Are Good for You — and You Might Need More of Them

Here’s why the no-carb trend is total nonsense.

I’m not sure how we got here but wellness fads have managed to position carbs as something people should eat less of. They’ve been blamed for everything from diabetes to acne, which is unfortunate because they’re an essential food group with innumerable benefits. I’ve noticed that there’s lots of confusion around what carbohydrates actually are, so let’s start there.

Carbohydrates, Explained

Carbohydrates, along with fats and proteins, are considered a macronutrient and are the body’s preferred source of fuel. They help the brain, kidneys, heart and other major organs function by providing the body with energy and a range of essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. The three types of carbohydrates are starches; such as potatoes, peas, corn, rice and other grains; sugars, which can take the form of added sugars but also includes natural sugars found in fruits and dairy products; and then there’s fiber, which comes from plant foods and plays a major role in digestion.

Experts typically recommend that most of our plate consist of carb-rich foods, with fibrous vegetables taking up half the plate. The other half would be divided between starchy carbohydrates and protein. Restricting carb intake can result in fatigue, hunger, headaches, weakness and other unpleasant side effects that serve as a red flag that your body is not getting proper nourishment.

Head on over to FOOD NETWORK to read the full article! Carbs Are Good for You — and You Might Need More of Them