Wait, don’t run…
I’m not going to tell you to reduce your carbs or stay away from them. I’m actually going to encourage you to enjoy them. Yes, I am going to go in the complete opposite direction of everything you’ve ever heard or read because there’s something you should know about the C word…it can make you very happy.
Here are three fundamental truths about carbs you probably didn’t know:
1) They Make You Feel Good
Have you ever eaten a cupcake or a piece of pie and smiled for a bit afterward? If so, it’s because that sweet treat alerted your brain that carbs were on the way to your tummy, and your brain responded by releasing a dose of serotonin, a feel-good chemical that actually improves your mood.
See? Cupcakes are the good guys.
2) They Weren’t Made to be Evil
There is no such thing as a bad food. Perhaps we may overindulge from time to time, but that doesn’t make eating carbs an evil part of your meal plan.
Yes, we’ve been told there are good carbs and bad carbs. But how about we say there are good carbs and more good carbs, instead? The only thing that makes them “evil” is how we consume them. Moderation, of course, is key.
3) They Have Lots of Health Benefits
Eating cupcakes and pie and cookies every day isn’t what we’re going after here. Yes, enjoying them in moderation is fine, but when we look at the bigger picture, we see there are plenty of carbs out there that actually have health benefits.
There is a common misconception that carbs will make you fat. This just isn’t true. Many carbs contain dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is an indigestible complex carbohydrate. What does this mean? Well, it means it won’t go to your hips!
Research that tracked eating habits of middle-aged women found that those that ate carbs with fiber not only felt better but slimmed down, too. Taking in carbs with every meal is actually good for you. So don’t run from carbs, embrace them.
The moral of the carb story is this: They are what you make them out to be. If you make them “naughty,” then they will be. But if you recognize the positive benefits, then you’ll see that they aren’t so bad after all.
Remember, moderation is key. That’s no secret. But don’t ignore that yummy cupcake anymore. Treat yourself. After all, isn’t life about the sweeter things?
Joleene Moody is a PositivityGuides writer and Robbins-Madanes interventionist, specializing in offering information that helps readers shift their mindset quickly in order to improve their lives.
See also:
How to be calm and confident
Qualities of a top presenter
Is mindfulness a bad idea?