We know we are risking it by going against your gym instructor, diet expert with an experience of X years and your personal nutritionist who helped you get shed X kilos – basically all those people who conditioned you into loathing carbs, but it is true and it is backed by science that carbs are good for your health.
Remember your grandmom serving nice homemade food with generous dollops of ghee? Maybe she wasn’t all that wrong.
Let’s turn to Japan. Japan boasts the world’s second highest life expectancy and an obesity rate of just 3.5 percent – compared to America’s 35 percent.
What do you think is the reason behind Japan’s super duper good health rate? You might not feel like believing it but it is their grain-heavy and carb-rich diet.
Eating ‘real food’ is never a bad idea! *does the foodie high-five*
For those who did not know, Japan has a nutritional guideline and it reflects the country’s traditional diet, which is high in grains, fish and soybean products, but low in fat.
And a new study by researchers at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Tokyo, reveals that “people who strongly adhere to Japan’s recommended dietary guidelines are 15 percent less likely to die of any cause – such as cardiovascular disease and stroke – compared to those who don’t adhere well.”
Good news for people who love food – you do not have to choose between your health and your beloved carbs.
James DiNicolantonio, a cardiovascular research scientist at St. Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, who vehemently defends to death the theory that sugar and carbs cause obesity and other metabolic diseases, also encourages people to eat more high-fat, high-calorie foods to make them feel more full and help them lose weight.
*faith in human attitude towards food restored*
“Combining a high intake of carbohydrates and fat is the perfect storm for obesity,” he told the HuffPost.
The trick that works for the Japanese might be the fact that the average Japanese person walks over 7,000 steps a day. *remembers her sports shoes*
“We can learn a lot about how to be healthy from the Japanese, and it really comes down to eating real food and exercising,” he told the HuffPost.
*Runs to office cafeteria to place an order for food (truck)loaded with carbs*
