These High Carbohydrate Foods are Really Healthy!
By Sara Butler
A lot of people blame carbohydrates for their health and wellness woes. It's often seen as a magic bullet to better health to cut carbohydrates from your diet. There's only one problem to that line of thinking: Your body needs carbohydrates in order to function optimally. Of course, the kind of carbohydrates you eat is the real issue. If you're wondering how to keep your carb count healthy, here are a few foods that may be high in carbohydrates but are also amazingly healthy.
Quinoa
Quinoa is trendy, but for good reason. It's a seed that is used as a grain, which makes quinoa a fantastic source of fiber and protein but provides you with more than 20 grams of carbohydrates per serving. And that's the number which can scare a lot of people away.
You shouldn't be scared of quinoa and its impact on your health. It's naturally gluten-free and full of vitamins and minerals. Plus, since it's high in protein and fiber, it'll help you feel fuller for longer, which helps you to eat less overall.
Oats
Oats are an extremely healthy grain loved throughout the world. They're full of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, but they're also over 60 percent carbohydrates, one-sixth of which is fiber. That number makes a lot of people question how good oats are for your health, but many studies have found that soluble fiber in oats can help to lower your blood sugar levels and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Bananas
One of the most popular fruits in the world, bananas can be high in natural sugars (also called carbohydrates). But they also pack a punch with the amount of potassium they contain as well as Vitamin C and Vitamin B6. The pectin and resistant starch in bananas help to keep your gut bacteria healthy and support better digestive health in the process.
Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes of all colors have gotten a bad reputation since they're found a lot of places deep fried. No doubt that deep fried foods aren't good for you, but tubers themselves are incredibly healthy. Sweet potatoes, in particular, are a great source of beta-carotene, potassium, and Vitamin C. They also happen to be high in carbohydrates since they're full of sugar, fiber, and starch.
Don't fear sweet potatoes. Their antioxidants alone help to lower your risk of disease, making them worth eating -- as long as they're baked!
Embrace high-carbohydrate foods such as these to help you stay healthy and get the nutrients your body needs.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Northbrook, Ill.
