Carbs have become really misunderstood in recent times. It’s true that high-glycmeic cars exist like bagels and donuts that quickly become sugar and cause you to lose weight, but there are still reasons carbs should be in your diet. These “good” carbs are needed to keep the body and brain functioning properly. There is even evidence to suggest that the introduction of carbs into our diet could be the reason that brains are getting bigger and the modern human is more advanced than prehistoric man. This is a great post to read on the effects of a low carb diet. The brain needs around 25% of the energy your body produces, and around 60% of the blood sugar in your body, so it’s a good idea to keep carbs in your diet.
A good carb is a complex carb. These carbs have long chains of sugar molecules, effectively making it harder for your body to process. This means you have more energy when you work out, you’ll curb your appetite for longer, you’ll have a faster recovery time, and you’ll stay mentally sharp. The following is a look at the 10 best sources of carbs.
Breadfruit
Breadfruit is one of the jackfruits and it’s probably the best food that you don’t know about. This tropical superfruit has a similar texture to bread when cooked, which explains the name. Breadfruit is a great source of carbs, plant proteins, vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids. Breadfruit can even be turned into a gluten-free flour that has more protein, fat, and ash than regular old wheat flower.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are packed with simple starches, complex carbohydrates, simple starches, vitamins, fiber, and beta-carotene. It has a lot of naturally occurring sugars however, making it a bad choice for diabetics. Diabetics should stick to yams, which have less sugar and more fiber. Sweet potatoes work great for helping recover and repair following a workout thanks to the carotenoids.
Taro
Taro is another one of those foods you might not know. The root of this fruit, known as corm, is perhaps the most popular root vegetable in South America, Asia, and areas in the Pacific Islands. The natural sugars of the root give it a sweet and nutty flavor when cooked. It is one of the best natural sources of dietary fiber, containing over 7 grams of fiber with less than 1 gram of sugar, along with a total carbohydrate content of 46 grams.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas are a popular form of legumes, and an excellent source of quick carbs when trying to keep things lean. A cup of cooked chickpea has 45g of those great slow-acting carbs, 12g of which is in the form of fiber. Chickpeas are a great way to lose weight because they keep you satisfied while being low on the glycemic index. There is also evidence to show it reduces levels of bad cholesterol.
Brown Rice
Brown rice should be one of your staple foods due to how inexpensive and filling it is. Brown rice is also perhaps the best grain for carbohydrates, containing 45g of carbs per cooked cup. It gives you plenty of energy and is less likely to be stored as fat as white rice.
Oats
Oats are a little old-fashioned, but it is still one of the best breakfasts possible. Just one cup of oats comes with 104g of carbs; 17g of which is in the form of fiber. Oats are somewhat of a blank slate, allowing you to add your own highly nutritious foods. Oats are also a good natural source of beta-glucan. This super fiber is great or lowering cholesterol and slowing down digestion, keeping you fuller for longer.
Blueberries
Berries such as blueberries are a great source of carbohydrates as far as fruit goes. They have plenty of vitamins and minerals, and are capable of turning that annoying white fat into calorie-busting beige fat. They don’t have a whole host of carbohydrates, but they are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that give them super health benefits.
Bananas
Bananas are simple and easy for the body to digest, and packed full of carbs. They also contain lots of potassium, helping your muscles and nerves to function properly. To put it simply; the banana is nature’s answer to the pre-and post-workout snack. Give it a little nut butter to make it even more beneficial and boost muscle repair and recovery.
Chestnuts
Chestnuts can almost be considered some kind of anomaly as far as nuts go. They have a lot less fat and protein than other nuts. Instead, they are made from starch mostly, similar to sweet potatoes. Most of the calories in chestnuts come from carbs, putting them on the same level as rice and wheat. Chestnuts are also packed with vitamin C, folates, and monounsaturated fats.
Low Fat Yogurt
8 ounces of plain nonfat Greek yogurt has 11g of carbohydrates, making it a good natural snack for pre or post workout because of the energy boost it provides. Even if you’ve sworn yourself off dietary, you have to understand the importance of calcium for muscle contraction, regulating the metabolism, and keeping your heart healthy.