Why it’s hard to give up carbs and how to choose the right ones

To stay fit, every meal must be balanced, containing adequate amounts of protein, fibre, vitamins, fats, and carbs. A lack of any of these nutrients can increase the risk of diseases. People on weight-loss diets often avoid carbs, but it’s not possible to give them up entirely. Healthy carbs play an essential role in maintaining good digestion. However, we are so accustomed to certain types of carbs that avoiding them becomes difficult. Want to know more about why we can’t leave carbs? Take a look.

Why is it difficult for us to give up carbs?
As per researchers, carbohydrates can make an amino acid called tryptophan to enter the brain. And when the tryptophan level increases in the brain, our brain produces more serotonin. Serotonin is a happy hormone that is produced in the body when we feel peace. On the other hand, it is easily produced in the brain by consuming carbohydrates.

How do unhealthy carbs affect the brain?When we are under a lot of stress, our brain looks for peace. And when we eat unhealthy carbs such as cake, chocolate or some junk food, the tryptophan level in our brain increases. Due to which serotonin hormone is produced. Therefore, by eating some junk or processed food, we feel good. But this serotonin hormone also falls down just as quickly, because it depends on carbohydrates. To maintain it, the body starts feeling the lack of carbohydrates, so we start craving carbohydrates.

Types of carbs
Broadly, there are two types of carbs, the first is healthy carbs and the second is unhealthy carbs. While unhealthy carbs include junk and processed food like sweets, cakes, chocolates, cookies and chips. Especially those things which are made of sugar and refined products. Consuming these things does not provide nutrition to the body. Rather, due to high calories, they harm the body.

On the other hand, healthy carbs are very important for our body. These include things like wheat, rice and whole grains. These carbs help in keeping the digestive system healthy and making the body function smooth. Consuming them keeps the stomach full for a long time and the body remains active. Healthy carbs are also necessary to maintain energy levels in the body. Therefore, they should be included in the diet according to the quantity.

Experts advise that if you have a habit of eating unhealthy carbs, then reduce it gradually. But make sure not to completely avoid healthy carbs in your diet. Because this can also imbalance the functions of the body.
(Images courtesy: Canva)