Are there “good” carbs and “bad” carbs?
Historically, nutritionists and dietitians have supported the notion that there’s no bad food — everything can be eaten in moderation. But some foods offer no nutritional benefit beyond calories. Sugar is an example. Apart from the calories, there’s no nutritional reason to consume sugar, so you could label that a “bad” carb. On the other hand, whole grains — such as whole-wheat pasta, brown rice or oatmeal — provide many vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that promote health. This puts them in the “good” carb category. But you have to watch how much you eat and keep your portions in check. Too much of any food, including whole grains, may provide excess calories. And excess calories from any source leads to weight gain. What’s the theory behind low-carbohydrate diets? The theory is that carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels, which then kicks in insulin. Insulin drives blood sugar into the cells and prevents fat breakdown in the body, which means you won’t burn exce
