Do You Need to Eat Carbs?

Many people who say they don’t eat carbs, do actually eat carbs. Carbohydrates are found in all plant foods (grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits and nuts). Many times when someone says they don’t eat carbs, they’re referring to not eating grains (bread, pasta and rice).

In 2014, I broke down from adrenal fatigue due to chronic stress. A naturopath suggested to me to give up gluten. At that point in time, I didn’t even know what gluten was. I went home and Googled it and discovered it was in practically everything I ate (and loved!). I went full-on, giving up everything except vegetables and meat. 

 
“Carbs are not bad. They are an essential nutrient, vital for good health, and allow the body to function correctly”. 

One of the reasons carbs get a bad wrap is because of gluten. Yes, gluten can be inflammatory, and you can read all about gluten in one of these articles previously published on my website: 

What is Gluten?

What are the Benefits of a Gluten-Free Diet?

The One Ingredient I Eliminated and Changed my Life

It’s important to note though, that carbs are not bad and not all carbs contain gluten. In fact, gluten is found in all sorts of products such as lipstick and shampoo, which you’ll learn more about in those articles. 

Another reason carbs get a bad wrap is due to glycemic index (GI). GI is a rating system for carbohydrates that shows how quickly it is broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream. Low GI foods take longer to break down and be absorbed into the bloodstream, while high GI foods are broken down and absorbed much faster. 

High GI foods cause a rapid increase in blood glucose. Glucose is used for energy; however, if you don’t use it for energy, your body will store it as glycogen in the liver and muscles. When glycogen stores are full, your body will convert glucose into triglycerides and store these in fat cells. This is how carbs can cause you to put on fat, and why they sometimes get a bad wrap.

While low GI foods take longer to break down and cause a more steady increase in blood glucose, they do still cause an increase in blood glucose, and this still leads to storing excess glucose as glycogen, and once glycogen stores are full, as triglycerides (fat). 

Carbohydrates are a macronutrient, as are protein and fat. Macronutrients are the nutrients we need in larger quantities that provide us with energy. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals and  are equally important but consumed in smaller amounts. Their impact on the health of your body is critical and deficiency can be severe. 

All forms of carbohydrate — grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits and nuts contain micronutrients. These foods are also high in fibre. Fibre is the digestible part of plant foods. There are two types of fibre — soluble and insoluble. The difference between the two is that soluble fibre dissolves in water while insoluble does not. Both pass through your digestive system undigested and play an important role in keeping your digestive system healthy. Fibre is important for regular bowel movements, helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer, can improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and can reduce your risk for diseases such as bowel cancer.

Finally, consuming a varied diet is critical for good gut health. Your digestive system contains microorganisms, known as the gut microbiome, gut microbiota or gut flora, and this includes bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses that live in your digestive tract. The bacteria help break down food, turning it into nutrients your body can use and this impacts your physical and mental health. The best way to achieve a thriving gut microbiome is to eat a diverse range of foods. Consuming carbohydrates, including all forms of carbohydrates such as grains, leads to a more flourishing microbiome. 

Carbohydrates are a macronutrient, which means they are essential and needed in large amounts. Carbohydrates are found in all plant foods (grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits and nuts) and they provide the body with energy. Carbohydrates are vital for good health and allow the body to function correctly. 

Yes, you do need to eat carbs. 

Answer this question in the comments section below: 

What have you heard that’s led you to believe carbs are bad?