Living for carbs RN? These are the healthy swaps you need to know about
How much do we love carbs? Let us count the ways. Whether pizza, pasta, bread or cakes, carbs are giving us life right now. And if there’s one thing we need in the middle of a global pandemic, it’s comfort food. Most days, by 10am we’re already fantasising about the pasta we’re going to have for dinner. Totally normal, right?
Sadly, ever since TOWIE star Ellie Redman coined the iconic phrase 'No carbs before Marbs’ way back in 2011, carbs have been getting a bad rap. No-carb and low-carb diets have taken off, and white bread is up there with deep fried Mars bars in many people’s lists of unhealthy food.
But as with everything, the truth about carbs isn’t not black and white, and we’re here to tell you that they are not the enemy (praise be). London-based nutritionist Lily Soutter, agrees that carbs have been wrongly demonised. “There is a common misconception that carbohydrates make us fat,” she says. “But in reality, overconsumption of any food group will lead to weight gain.
“In fact, carbohydrate-containing foods are our only source of fibre, and the European Food Safety Authority suggest that including fibre rich foods as part of a healthy balanced diet. Fibre has satiating properties to help to keep us fuller for longer, which may play a role with reducing energy consumption and maintaining a healthy body weight.”
But she says it’s all about the type of carbs you go for. “Choose whole grains which have their fibrous outer bran layer left intact. Most of the goodness is found in this bran layer which means that whole grains can contain 75% more nutrients than their refined counterparts.”
So if you love your carbs dearly, but want to max out the nutritional benefits too, read on for our 17 healthy carb swaps. Spoiler alert – you can still eat cake.

































