Carbs To Keep You Warm This Winter
"Carbs are fattening."
"I'm trying to eat less carbs and workout more.”
"I heard from my friends cousins moms sisters nephews to try this new carb-free diet thing..."
You may have thought about dropping carbs to get to your ideal body. You may have heard some random person on the internet talk about how amazing they felt once they 'cut carbs' from their diet. OK, not your fault. This messaging is everywhere. What they don't tell you is that carbs have been demonized on and off for a while now.
So, what gives?
Are carbs good or bad? Can you eat them, be healthy and like your body?
The truth is, like all other nutrition advice-type answers: It depends. How many carbs you should eat really depends on you and your lifestyle. What works for YOU.
Things like: How much you workout, how intense your workouts are, what kind of exercise you do, what foods you like and enjoy, what's available and affordable and so on!
What we can tell you, right now is to keep carbs in your diet, barring any health/medical concerns (talk to your doc in that case). We usually like carbs that are close to nature like rice, squash, whole grains, legumes, fruit, sweet potatoes, etc. Again, it's what works for YOU, and your body/system. These choices will hopefully leave you feeling satisfied and happy.
Check out these easy recipes that will help you incorporate some carbs into your diet!
Butternut Squash Salad
Ingredients:
3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 can chickpeas
3 tbs EVOO
1 tsp salt
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 apple, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries
4 cups kale or spinach, chopped
1 lemon for juicing
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
Place butternut squash, chickpeas, apple and garlic on a sheet pan
Drizzle/toss with 2 tbsp EVOO Roast for 30-40 minutes, until squash is tender
In a large bowl, toss chopped spinach or kale with 1 tbs EVOO, lemon juice and salt
Add dried fruit and mix
Add squash mix with greens and enjoy!
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients:
3 large sweet potatoes, cubed
2 tbs salted butter or EVOO
2 tbs maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil
If using butter, melt in a glass bowl in the microwave
Place all ingredients on sheet, toss everything to get an even coat
Bake for 30-40 minutes
Add to your favorite veggie and protein and enjoy!
Your health/food/eating answer isn't going the same as anyone else's. What a relief!
So, maybe for you, eating carbs is the right choice.
Maybe you'll have more efficient workouts and start to feel good. The only way to find is out to find what works for you!
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