It’s been ingrained in our minds that most carbs are nothing more than empty calories. While some are, the body requires healthy ones to function properly. Those made from 100-percent whole grains provide imperative vitamins, minerals, nutrients, antioxidants and fiber, all which are needed to achieve healthy skin and a healthy digestive system. When it comes to whole grains, most of us think that “brown” or “wheat” is the way to go, but there’s a slew of other grains that are just as healthy, if not better.
Look for 100-percent whole-wheat grain. Whole grains are not digested nearly as quickly as processed ones as there are more elements in it, including fiber (that’s why you’ll feel fuller for longer), to break down.
Avoid enriched wheat flour, white flour, wheat flour, bread flour, bleached flour, all-purpose flour and cake flour. Not all brown carbs or wheat-based carbs are good for you. Wheat flour and unbleached wheat flour are not technically whole grains. “Wheat bread is made of processed wheat that’s stripped of its nutrients. Ingredients like ‘wheat flour’ and ‘enriched wheat flour’ are no different than white flour,” says Hollywood, CA, celebrity nutrition expert Lisa de Fazio.
Interestingly enough, according to Harvard researchers, women who eat more whole grains have a lower risk of diabetes, since the grains contain folic acid, magnesium, fiber and vitamin e.
