They have earned a reputation as the devil’s food when it comes to dieting.
But now an expert has revealed that it’s possible to enjoy a carbohydrate snack or meal — without feeling guilty about your weight.
London senior nutritionist Georgia Chilton told FEMAIL it’s not just about the food you eat, but how you eat.
The expert, who works for Londonbased meal delivery service Fresh Fitness Food,
shared a simple hack that can help with weight management and, according to Georgia, reduce “cravings.”
She explained that waiting for food to cool can actually help you feel full longer. She revealed, “When carbohydrates are consumed, they are broken down in the gut and absorbed as sugar, which raises blood glucose levels.
Georgia Chilton, a senior nutritionist at London-based meal delivery service Fresh Fitness Food, says letting your meal cool before eating it can help with weight management (stock image)
“The rate at which this happens depends on the glycemic index (GI) of the food and other factors such as cooking methods.
The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly foods containing carbohydrates, such as breads, cereals and baked goods, raise glucose levels in the bloodstream.
She continued, “If the food — potato or pasta, for example — is cooled, a type of fiber called resistant starch increases in the food.
“The higher fiber content helps slow the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, keeping you feeling full longer, or at least until lunchtime, and also promotes more stable blood sugar and slower energy release.”
Georgia talked about the relationship between our bodies and carbohydrates and explained that our bodies perform at their best when blood sugar levels are kept constant.
“It is imperative that we understand the effect that different carbohydrates can have on our bodies.
“Stable blood sugar levels can help manage weight and reduce cravings caused by low energy.”
She said to stabilize your body’s blood sugar, look for foods with a low glycemic index like sweet potatoes, spaghetti, chickpeas and apples.
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for the body, as they are necessary for the functioning of the brain and other vital organs.
Georgina adds that without carbs, our bodies struggle to function properly and a total ban on the nutrient can leave you feeling drained and fatigued — “a surefire way to slow your fat loss.”
For optimal results, focus on a healthy diet in addition to exercise.
“Plus, cooking methods can change the rate at which your blood sugar rises, which is where the concept of cooling carbs comes in.”