Are Carbs Bad for You?

“Don’t worry. I don’t eat carbs”, my new clients often say.

Thanks to popular low carb diets like Atkins and South Beach, carbohydrates have been vilified. A common belief is that carbs are the cause of weight gain.

I would like to say for the record – CARBS ARE NOT EVIL.

Spinach is a carb. Blueberries are carbs. An apple is a carb. Sweet potatoes are carbs. Beets are carbs. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Carbohydrates are our main source of energy, and are one of the 4 macronutrients that our bodies need. The other 3 are protein, fat and water. Carbs are not evil; they are a critical part of a healthy diet.

Carbs can, however, turn evil when they are processed into refined foods. Take beets for example. They naturally have a cleansing effect on the liver and aid digestion. They combat anemia, and build red blood cells. They are bursting with nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, vitamin C, and several B vitamins.

When sugar beets are processed into refined sugar the nutrients, fibre, and water are removed. What remains is a refined carbohydrate completely stripped of its nutritional value. Just 2 teaspoons of sugar changes the blood chemistry so that the body is no longer in homeostasis – the balanced state where it functions best.

Natural carbs are not evil; they are a critical part of a healthy diet. It’s processed carbs that are evil and should be weaned away from your pantry. Enjoy your carbs in their whole unprocessed form, live healthy, and lose weight.

This article is will be printed in the January 2018 edition of the Jewish Local in Toronto.