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No Bread with Soup? Nonsense


But seriously. What else do people use to soak up their soup if it isn’t a crusty loaf? Carbohydrates have had a tough time in the last decade, but it’s been a long time coming. The media are always quick to demonise food groups and it was the turn of the carbohydrate. 

Should you really be concerned about eating carbs, or is it a load of nonsense? The short answer is no you shouldn’t, but you’ve got to know why.

What are the benefits of carbohydrates? 

First of all, let’s have a little background knowledge of nutrition 101 basics. There are three macronutrients, these are nutrients that our bodies need in large quantities, they are: 

The amount that we need depends on a number of factors and everyone is different. But, the fact that they are essential nutrients means that we should be consuming all three. Someone who chooses a keto diet might disagree, but that’s an argument for another day. 


recipe-ribollita-stew

Try this  Ribollita  soup recipe here!

They’re full of fibre 

Fibre is something that most of us in the western world don’t get enough of. Studies have shown that a high fibre diet can decrease your risk of bowel disease, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Fibre cannot be fully broken down by the body and helps to pack out your poop, so it helps with digestion and prevents constipation. 

Complex carbohydrates are packed full of fibre, specifically, fruit and vegetables, grains and oats. The other macronutrients don’t have much fibre, therefore you need a healthy amount of carbohydrates to get a sufficient amount of fibre in your diet. 

It’s fuel for life 

Carbohydrates are your primary source of fuel, followed next by fat. Whether you do a 10km run one day, or you’re just milling around doing your day to day activities, you will be using carbohydrates to fuel it. 

But, if you are taking part in fitness activities, especially endurance sports then you need to have more carbohydrates. You’ve heard runners swear by a big bowl of pasta before a race and there’s a method to their madness. Carb loading is a method of filling your body with the macronutrient so that you have enough energy for long-distance exercise. 

Don’t forget your fruit and veg 

When people think of carbohydrates they usually jump straight to food such as bread, pasta and rice, but I think they might be forgetting something. Fruit and vegetables are also carbohydrates. We all know the importance of a sufficient amount of fruit and veg in your diet, not just as carbohydrates, but also the vitamins and minerals they provide. 

Still convinced carbs are the enemy? I hope not because they’re delicious. If you take one thing from this, remember that it’s all about balance. Sure too much of something usually isn’t bad for you, but you can keep dipping your bread in your soup.


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Eryn Barber

A personal trainer and content writer, with a background writing nutrition and fitness articles. Her main passion is anything and everything to do with food. She is a keen baker and loves writing about her experiences with food. Follow her work-outs on Instagram @erynbarber.


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