Carbs are not your enemy. They have gotten a bad rep because of so many diets out there that are total haters to all carbohydrates — but not all carbohydrates are created equal, and they are actually quite important in our body’s overall health.
When you’re doing it right, eating some types carbs — especially for breakfast — can be a surefire way to stay full and energized throughout the day. Who wants to load up on sugar in the name of skipping bread, anyway?
When you eat carbs, they are broken down into two sugars: glucose, which is essential for fueling every single cell in your body, and fructose, which provides shorter term energy (and can be stored as fat). When you hear a term like “complex” or “simple” carbs, it refers to how quickly a food is broken down into these elements. Complex carbs like whole grains, legumes, nuts are the better option. They’re high in fiber and are broken down slowly in the body and converted into long-lasting energy.
Simple carbs, on the other hand, are found in white bread, white rice, candy and soda, among other foods. Consuming simple carbs gives the body a spike of energy that’s followed by a crash, which not only leaves us exhausted, but doesn’t keep us full for long. They’re why carb consumption is so often associated with weight gain.
If energy is what you’re looking for, loading up on complex carbs is actually a great idea, especially in the morning.
If you’re willing to give the whole carbs-for-breakfast thing a try, Elisa Zied, RD and author of Younger Next Week, has a few easy recipe suggestions that are loaded with complex carbs.
Oats & Nuts
- 1 cup cooked oats
- 2 tbsp. nuts of your choice (almond and walnuts are good options)
- 1/2 cup fresh fruit
Top oatmeal with with nuts. Fresh fruit can be mixed in or served on the side.
Yogurt & Cereal
- 1/2 cup or 1 cup low-fat or non-fat yogurt
- Handful of high fiber cereal (Zied suggests Barbara’s Puffins)
- 1/2 cup of berries
Pour cereal and berries on top of yogurt. Mix if desired.
Eggs & Toast
- 1 slice 100 percent whole grain bread or a 100 percent whole grain flour tortilla
- 1 scrambled egg
- 1 slice of cheese
- 1 cup low-fat or non-fat milk
- 1/2 cup fresh fruit
Serve toast or tortilla with scrambled egg and cheese on top. Serve fresh fruit and milk on the side.
It’s time to give your breakfast routine a makeover.
Source: Huffington Post Health Fitness
I write like I think—fast, curious, and a little feral. I chase the weird, the witty, and the why-is-this-happening-now. From AI meltdowns to fashion glow-ups, if it makes you raise an eyebrow or rethink your algorithm, I’m probably writing about it. Expect sharp takes, occasional sarcasm, and zero tolerance for boring content.
