Where Can We Find Carbohydrates?
- In grains like rice, oats, and wheat.
- Legumes such as soya, peanuts, peas, lentils, chickpeas, or beans
- Root vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes or yuca
- Pseudo-cereals like quinoa or buckwheat
- And of course, in fruit and vegetables
Carbohydrates, the Best Fuel
In the previous section, you were introduced to the idea of macronutrients and learned more about fat and protein. Carbohydrates are the third macronutrient that are also a key part of a well-rounded and healthy diet.
Carbohydrates are similar to fat in that they provide you with energy for your body to function. However, the primary difference is that they are more rapidly available for usage by the body. While they are often demonised, carbohydrates, like fat, are completely fine when consumed in healthy quantities and via nutritious sources – don’t let all the conflicting information out there overwhelm you.
Some Sources of Carbohydrates
Fibre
Firstly, fibre is an amazing feature of any diet! It is in fact a type of carbohydrate that is found in plant foods like wholegrains, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Fibre is extremely beneficial for several reasons…
- It feeds our gut microbes which are essential for digestive health, our immune systems and energy levels.
- It slows down absorption of glucose to prevent large spikes and crashes.
- It helps with bowel movement to increase regularity.
All of these benefits will culminate in improved health and wellbeing, meaning that fibre should definitely be a part of your dietary plan.
This brings to a close the macronutrients section. Hopefully the importance of each macronutrient has been highlighted and you now know why it is important to include all three in your diet!
Next up, your micro-nutrients!
Sources
- Chronic refined carbohydrate consumption measured by glycemic load and variation in cognitive performance in healthy people
- SACN Carbohydrates and Health Report
Author
Clinically reviewed by Laura Perez
