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What are carbs?Don't believe these myths surrounding carbs -

There are some who believe that only bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes are carbohydrates. However, this is not true. Those mentioned are complex carbohydrates.

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What are carbs? -

The other type of carbs are simple carbohydrates, which are mainly found amongst fruits and vegetables.

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Are carbs unhealthy? -

Refined carbs, such as white bread, pasta, and rice are not particularly healthy. They should ideally be kept to a minimum.

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Are carbs unhealthy? -

However, unrefined whole-grain carbs, such as brown rice and pasta, whole-grain bread, and oatmeal, are very good for you.

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Do carbs contain fiber? -

Absolutely. They are actually the main source of fiber. Cucumbers and carrots are both full of fiber, for example.

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Do carbs contain fiber? -

Whole-grain breads and beans are full of fiber as well. A soup full of beans and vegetables, with some whole-grain bread on the side, is highly nutritious!

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Will carbs make me gain weight? -

It depends. If you're consuming pizza and white bread every day, then yes, quite possibly. However, there are other carbs that can actually help you lose weight.

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Will carbs make me gain weight? -

If you consume high-fiber carbs, this can speed up your metabolism, which, in turn, can enable you to lose weight.

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Are carbs full of sugar? -

Even good, whole-grain carbs break down into sugar in the body. However, there is a hugely different effect on your blood sugar between good and bad carbs.

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Are carbs full of sugar? -

It's always best to avoid as much added, refined sugar as possible—even cutting it out completely. Instead, natural sugars can be obtained from fruit.

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Do all carbs have gluten? -

Some do, yes. But not all. And some foods that are not carbohydrates contain gluten, such as various sauces, delicatessen meats, and even salad dressing.

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Do all carbs have gluten? -

However, quinoa and brown rice are both gluten-free, as are many fruits and vegetables. They are also full of essential fiber.

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Do carbs always make a person tired? -

Simply, no. There is no evidence to suggest this. The amount of food consumed is far more significant than whether those foods are carbohydrates.

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Do carbs always make a person tired? -

However, excess protein and salt have been shown to produce this tired, lethargic effect. So be careful if you have a busy schedule to follow!

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Should I avoid carbs before exercising? -

Absolutely not! You need to have carbs in order to create essential energy for the exercise you will undertake.

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Should I avoid carbs before exercising? -

But choose your carbs wisely! Stick to whole-grain, and don't overeat. Also, leave a bit of time in between your meal and your workout.

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Is protein more important than carbs? -

They are both important, and work together to help your body process sugar properly.

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Is protein more important than carbs? -

Getting your protein in before consuming complex carbs can also help prevent glucose levels in the body from rising too high.

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Will following a low-carb diet help me lose weight? -

While diets such as keto are very fashionable, there is no evidence to suggest that a a low-carb diet will help you lose weight any more than a more typical diet.

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Will following a low-carb diet help me lose weight? -

Keto diets are mainly useful for diabetics, as they can help reduce sugar levels in the body.

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Is it bad to eat carbs with every meal? -

Not if they are good carbs! Wholewheat pasta with vegetables is a perfectly decent and healthy lunch or dinner choice, for example.

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Is it bad to eat carbs with every meal? -

Another good meal option? A straightforward sandwich, as long as it's made with whole-grain bread and includes some fresh salad.

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Why do carbs always make me feel so full? -

Probably because you're eating too many, and of the wrong kind! A big bowl of white pasta, white rice, or a lot of white bread will make you feel bloated.

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Why do carbs always make me feel so full? -

However, eating a sensible amount of whole-grain carbs and plenty of fruits and vegetables is far more likely to make you feel comfortably full.

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Is it more healthy to just eat meat without the carbs? -

Certainly not! For a start, you should limit the amount of red meat you consume, and a balanced diet is very important.

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Is it more healthy to just eat meat without the carbs? -

Also, carbohydrates such as beans and chickpeas are far more filling and less calorific than most meats!

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Is it better to just eat carbs in the morning? -

There's no evidence to suggest that this is true. Again, if you stick to good carbohydrates, the time of day that they are consumed is irrelevant.

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Is it better to just eat carbs in the morning? -

Therefore there is nothing wrong with having dinner at a reasonable time that incorporates a decent amount of healthy carbs.

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Are carbs difficult to digest? -

Generally, no. There are some exceptions to this, such as kale and broccoli. This is because they are high in insoluble fiber.

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Are carbs difficult to digest? -

However, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables with soluble fiber, such as bell peppers and cucumbers.

Click here to find out how to choose the best fruit and vegetables!

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