Fresh Focus #50: Myth - Carbohydrates

Throughout this six-episode Myth Busters series on the Fresh Focus podcast, we are choosing a different popular nutrition myth each episode to break down. There’s so much nutrition information (and misinformation) out there that we wanted to provide you this series so that you could have evidence-based answers to your burning nutrition questions in between visits with your registered dietitian. Listen along to this episode as Megan Rivenburg, MS, dietetic intern at the Bay Pines VA, sorts through the research on carbs. Are they bad for you? Are low-carb diets the way to go? Which carbs are the best carbs to be eating in order to support your health? The takeaway? Our bodies need carbs! They provide much needed energy that your body needs even when you’re just sitting at home. They help out with regularity (fiber is a carb!), and on top of that, they make us happy. Not just because they’re delicious, but because they help out with keeping serotonin levels regulated, and serotonin is involved with keeping moods stable. It’s also no big secret that certain carbs are really easy to overeat. Think about white rice versus brown rice- one is much easier to eat a large amount of without getting full. This episode talks all about picking complex carb choices like brown rice, whole grain breads and pastas, and fruits and vegetables. These carbs provide that needed energy but also leave us feeling just a little bit better overall.  As always, nutrition needs vary from person to person. If you want more in-depth information about anything you hear on this podcast, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your registered dietitian. They are there to help you figure out the style of eating that works best for you, your health, and your lifestyle!            Enjoy listening to this episode!