[ LOW CARB · LOW CALORIE ]
FINE LEAN BEER
If you're starting a new diet, you may be considering cutting back on alcohol. But beer can still be a part of your dietary routine. Light beers, in particular, are brewed to naturally cut out most calories and carbs — while some of the best low-calorie beers are still packed with unique flavors, despite the absence of calories and carbs.
CARBS
A GUIDE TO CARBS
It's easy to think of carbohydrates as dietary villains. But we need them for energy to fuel our body.
Question #1: What are carbs?
Our body gets most of its energy from carbohydrates (carbs). Digestion breaks carbs down into glucose (sugar), powering everything we do – from breathing to thinking. This is why we can't entirely cut out carbs from our diet.
Carbohydrates can be simple or complex.
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Simple carbohydrates digest quickly and can raise blood sugar, causing weight gain.
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Complex carbohydrates often contain fibre, vitamins, minerals, and other valuable nutrients. They’re slower to digest.
Question #2: What type of carbs are there?
Many foods contain carbohydrates, which come in three main forms:
SUGARS
All sugars are simple carbohydrates. Sugars occur naturally in many foods.
Fruits contain fructose, while milk and some dairy products contain lactose.
Fruits
(natural sugar)
Milk
(natural sugar)
Honey
STARCHES
Starches are complex carbohydrates formed by many sugars joined together.
Most vegetables and grains contain starch, including legumes such as beans and peas.
Bread
Rice
Biscuits
Potato & Yam
Noodles
FIBRE
Fibre is another complex carbohydrate. Your body cannot break it down, so fibre passes out through the digestive system. Only plants contain fibre, fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, and whole grains are good sources of this complex carb.
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Whole Grains
Beans
Vegetables
Fruits
Peas
Question #3: What are the benefits of carbs in your diet?
Carbohydrates are important in your diet because:
They provide energy. Carbohydrates break down into glucose, the body’s main fuel. Neither protein nor fat is as efficient of a source of energy as carbs.
Carbs in whole foods have many nutrients. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supply many vitamins and minerals. They also contain plant compounds called phytonutrients, which can prevent disease.
Complex carbs give you fibre. Besides digestion, fibre can lower cholesterol and stabilise blood sugar. Increasing fibre in your food can lower your risk of heart disease and several types of cancer.
Complex carbs can help you maintain a healthy weight. Because they are bulky, many healthy sources of carbs help you feel full, which makes you eat less. There is very little evidence that healthy carbs contribute to weight gain.