Some of our most commonly asked questions are about carbs, and the myths surrounding them. We break down the misconceptions surrounding carbohydrates.

Before we debunk these myths, we should first understand what a carb is. A carb is made up of fiber, sugar, and starch, and is very important in order to maintain energy and blood sugar throughout the day.

1) Carbs Make You Gain Weight

False. Weight gain is not the result of eating one singular type or food, rather, the consequence of eating too much food. In fact, whole grains that contain lots of healthy fiber are actually good for maintaining a healthy weight. Remember the healthy plate model: whole grains making up ¼ of your plate is the best for keeping a stable weight.

2) Fruit = Bad Carbs

Untrue. In a time when many diets, such as keto or Whole30 (which aren’t necessarily bad!), are gaining lots of traction, it’s important to remember that fruit is good for you. There is a big difference between the natural sugars that exist in fruit and the processed sugars that exist in donuts. The carbohydrates that come from fruits are accompanied by many vitamins, minerals, and lots of fiber - which is important for digestive health. If you’re really watching your sugar, there are plenty of fruits with high water content that are lower-carb.

3) All Carbs are Bad Carbs

Incorrect. All carbs are not created equal! There is an important difference between simple and complex carbs. Refined foods, such as desserts, pre-packaged junk food, and sodas, are made with simple carbs. These have lots of unnatural sugars, which results in a blood sugar spike. On the other hand, complex carbs are found in whole grains [aka our new Grain Bowls!], nuts, beans, veggies, and fruits. These are the carbs that you need to eat for energy every day. They contain lots of fiber, which helps regulate you and keeps you fuller longer. If you want to learn more about this, check out this blog post.

4) Carbs Spike Your Blood Sugar

Wrong. To elaborate on the above point, simple carbs are those that spike blood sugar (and cause all carbs to get a bad rap). Complex carbs, which take time to digest and break down, are actually recommended for people with Type 2 Diabetes to eat after meals in order to help manage blood sugar spikes.

5) The Best Way to Lose Weight is a Low-Carb Diet

Inaccurate. There’s no evidence to prove this! The only known way to lose weight is by going into a calorie deficit, which means eating fewer calories. Although it may be true that eating less simple carbs (chips, cookies, sugary breakfast cereals) could make you feel better, it’s important to maintain complex carbs throughout your diet. If you cut carbs out, the weight will be gained back once they’re reintroduced.

Our grain bowls use complex carbs such as brown rice, quinoa, wild rice, and sorghum. These carbs are clean, gluten-free, and guaranteed to keep you full without making you feel bloated, heavy, or unhappy.

Looking to try one of the new grain bowls? Get started with a weekly delivery now!

If you’re already a customer and want to add them to your Lunch delivery, head into My Account >> My Deliveries >> and add them into your lunch routine!

Questions? Email us at hello@splendidspoon.com