Don't shun carbohydrates

The notion that a high glycaemic index diet is harmful is overstated. In fact carbohydrates may not be as harmful as one thinks them to be. Contrary to the common belief that carbohydrates are bad for health, there also exists a view that supports the intake of carbohydrates in relevant quantity and quality. Many foods containing carbohydrates - particularly those that are also rich in fiber contain a number of other health-promoting substances, such as phytochemicals and antioxidants. Although, low-carbohydrate diets can promote rapid weight loss, it is difficult for people to continue with them in the long run. It is said that by focusing on fibre rich foods, one can actually compensate for the damage done by carbohydrates. By simply eating a bowl full of fibre rich cereal every morning, people can do a great deal to maintain their health. To assess the effects of eating carbohydrates, researchers from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville reviewed 140 studies of carbohydrate intake and BMI. They found little connection between the glycaemic index of foods in a person's diet, or how quickly these foods cause blood sugar to rise, and BMI. On the contrary it was found that higher glycaemic load (which takes into account the total energy content of foods as well as their GI) was linked to lower BMI. Because overall dietary quality tends to be higher for high-carbohydrate diets, a low-fat dietary strategy with emphasis on fibre-rich carbohydrates, particularly cereal fibre, may be beneficial for health and weight control.