So many weight loss diets out there make it appear as though carbohydrates are the most sinister nutrients that a person could supply his or her body with.
While it’s true that consuming excessive amounts of carbohydrates can lead to unnecessary gaining of unwanted pounds and also increased levels of glucose in the bloodstream, the fact is some foods that are high in carbs should be added to the diet on a regular basis as they are super healthy.
Yup, carbohydrates are not equal — those that come from highly nutritious foods are good for you.
So in other words, it’s not a good idea to eliminate carbohydrates from your everyday diet completely most especially if what you want is to live for a really long time. Read on to know some carbohydrate-rich foods that scientists say that you should never quit eating.
Oats
Everyone knows for a fact that a bowl of oats is the ultimate breakfast. That’s because it packs a generous amount of carbohydrates, thus allowing the body to have optimum supply of energy.
What’s so amazing about oats is that they contain lots of fiber that helps regulate the release of glucose into the bloodstream, which come with a couple of benefits: it helps give you as steady dose of energy and it keeps your blood sugar from spiking.
Sweet Potatoes
A lot of weight-watchers steer clear of anything starchy as it’s for certain that it is packed with carbohydrates. However, don’t make the mistake of running away from sweet potatoes because, despite of being rich in carbohydrates, they’re packed with nutrients that are good for you.
For instance, sweet potatoes provide vitamin C that you need for stronger resistance to infections and also beautiful and healthy skin. They also contain lots of beta-carotene that you need for healthy eyes and 20/20 vision.
Beetroots
Just like what their name says, beetroots are starchy vegetables similar to sweet potatoes. And just like those healthy spuds, beetroots should be welcomed into your diet on a regular basis as they’re good for you.
According to health authorities, beetroots are loaded with nitrates that are turned into nitric oxide once they are inside your body. Nitric oxide is very good for lowering the blood pressure as this gas has the ability to encourage the blood vessels to dilate.
Legumes
Peas, beans, lentils — they are known collectively as legumes, and all of them are rich in carbohydrates. They are also packed with fiber that you need in order to drive away constipation, unnecessary weight gain, high blood glucose levels, heart disease and certain forms of cancer.
One of the most amazing things about legumes is that they supply your body with lots of protein, which is necessary for building muscles, producing hormones, and keeping the skin, nails and hair healthy and strong.
Bananas
Their texture easily reveals the fact that bananas are starchy fruits and thus they are high in carbohydrates. Aside from carbs, they’re also loaded with potassium.
Just like nitric oxide, potassium is revered for its ability to lower the blood pressure by cancelling out the unfavorable effects of sodium in the body. Bananas are also very rich in magnesium, a mineral known to help relieve heart palpitations, anxiety and insomnia.
Grapefruits
If you’re into reading lots of online articles on how to lose weight quickly, chances are you already know that grapefruits are capable of encouraging elimination of excess pounds without much trouble.
You’ll be surprised to know that grapefruits are some of the most high-carb fruits around, which is a testament that you don’t really have to shun carbohydrates in order to slim down. And by the way, grapefruits may also help lower the blood glucose levels, prevent kidney stones, and reduce colon cancer risk.
Oranges
Last but not least, oranges are some healthy foods with carbohydrates that you should never ever steer clear of. Much of the carbohydrates in orange come from fructose, which is a type of sugar that’s good for you as it’s not the processed kind.
Besides, oranges are also packed with immune-boosting vitamin C, just like everybody knows. Health authorities say that other nutrients that you can get from oranges are calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A and B6.