20 Reasons to Eat Carbs and Forgo the Beef!

My Diet Matters

Updated December, 2019

reasons to eat carbs

If you have a beef with carbs, you might want to rethink avoiding them. There are technically many reasons to actually eat the right amount of carbs. For whatever reason, the topic of carbohydrates fuels a firestorm of controversy. Look anywhere on the internet, and you will find a preponderance of carbohydrate criticism and vilification. It’s true that not all carbs are the same. The carbs which should be emphasized for health are the complex carbohydrates. These carbs are high in nutrient density. Complex carbs include lentils, grains, fruits, and vegetables. Check out this list of 20 solid, fact based reasons to eat carbs. Then, enjoy bringing this macronutrient back into your life!

 The first 10 of 20 great reasons to eat carbs

  1. They provide a rich source of B-complex vitamins not found in other food categories.
  2. In the form of fruits and vegetables, they are an excellent source of vitamin C.
  3. Complex carbs provide significant sources of potassium.
  4. They are naturally low in fat which helps a variety of medical issues ranging from gastric reflux to heart disease.
  5.  They have health protecting phytonutrients which are found almost exclusively in complex carbs.
  6. Complex carbs are high in fiber to aid digestion, prevent constipation, and feed gut bacteria.
  7. Fiber-rich complex carbs aid in blood sugar control.
  8. Complex carbs fill you up and help you stick with a weight loss diet.
  9. Sufficient carbohydrates prevent ketosis.
  10. Carbs are the preferred energy source for your brain and central nervous system. By eating enough carbs to fuel the brain and central nervous system, the protein you eat can be used to promote growth, healing, and repair. Consequently, eating enough carbs spares the protein to do the job of growth and repair, instead of being used to meet energy requirements.

10 more great reasons to eat carbs

  1. When decreasing carbs, you need to increase your calories from another nutrient such as animal protein. But, protein in excessive amounts may weaken bones.
  2. If you cut your carbs, then you need to increase your calories from other nutrients such as fat. This may lead to plaque build up in your arteries.
  3. A low carbohydrate intake might increase cortisol levels. This may increase risk of some cancers.
  4. A low carbohydrate intake might lead to eating more animal protein. Too much animal protein can increase painful gout symptoms.
  5. You need carbohydrates in your diet to make glycogen. This is your storage fuel for endurance athletic events. You need this fuel source when food is not available. Adequate glycogen stores are essential if you want to excel at endurance sports.
  6. Dairy products are nutrient dense carbohydrates which have important nutrients for strong bones and normal blood pressure.
  7. Most Americans do not consume enough magnesium. Many good sources of magnesium are complex carbs like spinach, bran cereal, beans, lentils, and dairy products.
  8. Strong bones need more than just calcium. And, many of the nutrients necessary for strong bones-vitamin K, various B vitamins, and magnesium are readily available from complex carbs.
  9. As food, they create less of a carbon footprint than growing animals to eat.
  10. They are satisfying and taste good! Don’t you miss them??

Take away

For these reasons, emphasizing unprocessed nutrient dense carbs such as lentils, beans, fruits, vegetables, fat-free dairy, and whole grain foods is not controversial. In fact, it is intelligent eating for the 21st century.

Sue Rose, MS, RD, LDN

Sue Rose helps readers sort through the maze of nutrition information available to the public. As a seasoned clinical dietitian/nutritionist with decades of experience, her blogs attempt to educate and inform the public at a time when there is so much information it is often overwhelming to understand. Stay tuned for clarity on a variety of topics!

Disclaimer

Use this information at your own risk. Although I am a licensed IL dietitian/nutritionist, I am not your dietitian. The information in my blog Chew on This located at www.mydietmatters.com is for educational and informational purposes only. It is also my own opinion and subject to change in the future. Please consult with your own medical professionals for individual treatment.