Do Carbohydrates Really Cause Weight Gain?

A common question with respect to weight loss is whether carbohydrates and weight loss can go hand in hand with each other.

Carbohydrates are one of the macro-nutrients, along with fats and proteins. When people think of carbohydrates, they usually think of potatoes or rice. In actual fact, there are carbohydrates in various types of foods. They are literally found in all plant based foods like fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts. The following are some basic knowledge about carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates are split into 2 groups - refined and unrefined. Refined carbohydrates are foods like flour, candy and soft drinks. Unrefined are fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

They can also be divided into two other categories. Simple carbohydrates are basically sugar. Complex carbohydrates are sugars but the molecules within form more complex chains. Examples of complex carbohydrates include whole grains and peas.

So the question is are they unhealthy or increase your weight? As aforementioned, not all carbohydrates are created equal. Some types are beneficial for you while others are detrimental. If you opt to consume carbohydrates which are refined like soft drinks and white bread, they will break down to form glucose. When you eat excess amounts of such types of foods the extra glucose gets stored in the body in the form of fat.

Thus, it is crucial to consume small amounts of unrefined carbohydrates, found in foods like vegetables, fruits and brown rice, on a daily basis. Such foods also contain fiber, which is vital for a healthy digestive system, helping you to get rid of toxins within your body.

Complex and unprocessed carbohydrates also contain vital nutrients which are vital for energy. To illustrate, legumes or dried beans contain zinc, an important element for a healthy reproductive system. On the other hand, white, processed flour and bread actually binds to important vitamins and minerals in the body and draws them out of the body.

You should understand that in reality, no particular food group can make you fatter. It is only due to the over consumption of one macro-nutrient which can lead to obesity. Similarly, carbohydrates can only make you fat if you consume too much.

Additionally, when you cut out a great amount of carbohydrates from your diet, you may then cause yourself to become deficient in fiber and important nutrients as discussed earlier.

Thus, to conclude, it is not carbohydrates which are making you fat. It is the amount of food you are consuming.