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Posted on October 27, 2015

The truth about carbs

Health

A low-carb diet has never been my thing. I have always been a firm believer that all foods should be consumed in moderation. That’s why I continue to be baffled by those who are constantly carb-counting or totting up their calories half-way through the day. In my eyes, carbs are not the enemy.

What a lot of people don’t realise is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with carbohydrates. Provided you eat the right ones and in the right quantities, carbs are needed for our brain and body to function normally. And I’m not just saying this because I am a carb addict – or bread addict – to be precise. I’m saying this because I have made a recent discovery that I’m going to share with you.

The human saliva contains an enzyme which helps breakdown starch into sugars. This means that biologically, we are supposed to eat carbohydrates – Mother Nature wants this for us people! It just comes down to whether we eat the right ones or not.

There are two types of carbohydrates: complex carbs (the good) and simple carbs (not so good). Complex carbs take time to digest. These include whole and unrefined grains, fibre and vegetables. Simple carbs on the other hand, provide the body with a quick burst of energy. These include refined starches and sugars added during food processing.

Good carbs

Unrefined grains

Unrefined grain products like brown rice, whole-grain pasta, beans, whole wheat bread, buckwheat, oats etc are considered to be good carbs. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre, which are all essential to your health. Because they are slowly digested, they cause a slower change in blood sugar levels.

Fibre

Fibre is a good carb that isn’t digested by our body. However, it is needed for intestinal health as it aids with digestion and ensuring that damaging toxins are excreted from the body. Foods high in fibre include leafy greens such as broccoli, beans, lentils, apples and pears.

Not so good carbs

Refined starches

White-flour breads, pasta and rice. Crackers, biscuits and other baked packaged foods are all considered as refined carbs. The bran, hull and fibre are removed from the grain during the refinement process meaning they contain little to no fibre and a lot of minerals and nutrients are lost.

Refined sugars

Refined sugars are probably one of the worst things you can feed your body with. These include sucrose, lactose, molasses and fruit juice concentrates. High level of sugar consumption can lead to extreme fluctuations in energy, more sugar cravings and mood swings.

In a nutshell: good carbs take time to digest in the body and as a result, you stay fuller for longer. They include whole-grain foods and vegetables. Bad carbs give you a sudden burst of energy and as a result cause a fluctuation in blood sugar levels. They include sweets and refined starches.

So before you unfairly black-list some carb-loaded foods, ask yourself this: is it a good carb or not? 🙂

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Posted on November 10, 2014

9 ways to eat healthy on a budget

fitness/ health benefits

Since eating healthy can be a bit costly at times, a lot of people think it’s more trouble than it’s worth. However, healthy eating doesn’t always have to cost you so much money – especially when you shop smart.

With the right attitude and the a little bit of planning ahead, you can eat quite healthily at an affordable price. So before you decide to pay the chippy around the corner a little visit, think about how much more you can save if you follow these simple tips:

1. Write it down: Sound like a no brainer? Not to all! Decide on what you’ll need for the week ahead and write it down. When you’re shopping for food, stick to your list and don’t be tempted by all those products marketers keep at eye-level to catch your attention.

2. Meal plan: If you take anything from this article, take this: meal planning is key when it comes to staying on top of your healthy eating game. Cook in bulk, have your din dins and then freeze the rest. This way you can avoid ordering a takeout and just eat what you’ve already made.

3. Look out for special offers: When there’s a special offer on, it’s a good idea to stock up and buy in bulk. You’ll be saving more money this way, and if you’re worried about your food going off, keep it in the freezer. Some foods have to be frozen in a special way, so be sure to research how to freeze certain types of foods.

4. Go to the market: You’d be surprised by how much cheaper fruit and vegetable are at the market. Dedicate one of your mornings to buying a load of fruit/veg at the market – your body will thank you for it!

5. Ignore the brands: If you’re on a tight budget then forget the fancy packaging and the overrated brands. Just because a brand is popular it doesn’t necessarily make it better. Focus on the content not the brand.

6. Shop seasonally: Fresh products that are in season are generally cheaper than non seasonal products. So if you can, try to shop seasonally.

7. Shop around: I know grocery shopping isn’t as fun as shopping for shoes, handbags or clothes. But if you look around before you shop, you will find the best deals and maybe even come across reduced items.

8. Don’t forget coupons: I’m awfully bad at keeping coupons. But the more I think about it, the more I wonder how much more money I could have saved had I kept them all. Be sure to keep your coupons and collect your points, this can help you in more ways than just one.

9. Keep a diary: If you keep track of everything you eat on a daily basis it will help you stay on top of things. In just a few days you’ll be able to see how far you’ve come and it will be more motivate you to keep going.

Stay positive people! 🙂

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