
How to Tell Between Good Carbs and Bad Carbs
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Carbohydrates are bad for us as most fitness coaches would say. Stay off carbohydrates they would be the end of your weight loss journey, but what if I told you carbs can actually make you loose weight.
Don’t crucify me just yet, there is the good carbs and there is the bad carbs.
What we stay off and never look at are the bad carbs, then what we shouldn’t live without are the good carbs.
Now what exactly are good carbs and bad carbs?, how can I tell what I’m about to consume is a good carb or a bad carb? Yes I know these questions would be racing down your head right now.
Well Good carbs are food rich in carbohydrates ( obviously) which contains low calories but has an energy level high enough to keep you full for a long time.
Bad Carbs are Carbohydrates that have high calories but has a low energy level which doesn’t keep you full.
I think you are getting the gist now.
You honestly don’t want to be seen on the bad side. When you take in bad carbs, you consume much calories in a short time which gets converted into fat as they are not being utilized to produce energy but when you take in good carbs, the calories you consume are small and are almost completely converted to energy which leaves no room for fat storing.

Always remember, ‘You are what you eat’
PROS OF GOOD CARBS

- Improved bowel movement.
- Increases your metabolism.
- Helps with weight loss in maintaining a calorie deficit.
- Helps to control cravings and keeps appetite in check.
- They are easily burned off.
- They keep you full for a long time.
- Helps prevent eating disorders.
- Low in sodium.
- Prolonged energy.
- Low in saturated fat.
- No trans-fat.
- Full of nutrients and high in fibre.
- They contain natural sugars.
- Digests slowly.

CONS OF GOOD CARBS
- They’re not always appealing to the taste buds.
- They must still be consumed in moderation.
- You can gain weight from them if you exceed the calorie deficit.
- They digest slowly.

PROS OF BAD CARBS
- They are very pleasing to the taste buds and eyes.
- They help with weight gain.

CONS OF BAD CARBS

- They can cause eating disorders.
- They can increase the risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes and hyperlipidemia.
- They can cause digestive problems.
- They digest quickly.
- They increase cravings.
- They keep you full for a short period of time.
- They are not easily burnt off.
- They can cause obesity especially the central kind.
- Slows down your metabolism.
- They do not improve bowel movements and can cause constipation, bloating and indigestion issues.
- Low in fibres and low in nutrients.
- They contain trans-fat and high in Saturated fat..
- They contain refined or processed sugars.
- High insulin level.
- High in sodium.

GOOD CARBS AND CALORIE CONTENT

GOOD CARB FOODS | CALORIE CONTENT |
Beans: pinto beans, white beans, chicken peas,black eye peas | GRAMS- 12-34g CALORIES- 134-269kcal |
Dates (dried- 10) | GRAMS-61g CALORIES-228kcal |
Orange | GRAMS-16g CALORIES-67kcal |
Apple | GRAMS-21g CALORIES-81kcal |
Prunes(dried-10) | GRAMS-53 CALORIES-201kcal |
Watermelon | GRAMS- 10g CALORIES-50kcal |
Strawberries | GRAMS-11g CALORIES-45kcal |
raisins | GRAMS-79 CALORIES-302 |
raspberries | GRAMS-14g CALORIES-61kcal |
Potatoe | GRAMS-50g CALORIES-220kcal |
Sweet potatoe | GRAMS-28g CALORIES-118kcal |
Corn | GRAMS-21g CALORIES-81kcal |
carrot | GRAMS-8g CALORIES-31kcal |
Veggies | 20kcal |
BAD CARBS AND CALORIE CONTENT

BAD CARB FOODS | CALORIE CONTENT |
RICE | GRAMS-50 CALORIES-232KCAL |
Pizza(cheese-1 slice) | GRAMS-39 CALORIES-290 |
Noodles (spaghetti- 1 cup) | GRAMS-34 CALORIES-159kcal |
Cheese burger (1 each) | 310kcal – 550kcal |
Biscuits (1 each) | 260kcal |
Sandwich (1 each) | 500kcal |
Cookie (1 each) | 120kcal |
French fries (1 small) | 231kcal |
Tacos | 319kcal |
Check out this Calorie Calculator, it’s a great resource to guide on how to effectively count your calories. It takes down important information about your weight, height, activity rate, sex and weight goal. After which it gives you your Basal Metabolic rate, which is the total energy your body utilizes while at rest and then gives you the number of calories you need to be taking in to achieve your weight goal, i.e how much protein, fat and carbohydrate you need to consume.
CONCLUSION
To everything good, moderation is also needed. If you are to consume carbs be it good or bad always cut your rations, this way you won’t be shaking up your system for fat storage. Restrict bad carbs to cheat days only, consume good carbs that will help boost your metabloism and at the same time keep your weight at check.
If you have any question leave a comment below, I’ll be more than happy to respond.
If you enjoyed reading, please do me a favor and share this piece of information you just got with someone who you know would need it. Thank you
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Yeka Asumah
I Am Yeka Asumah, An ordinary girl from Nigeria with big dreams. I love to write, read, learn and try new things every day. I enjoy the ability to air my voice out, expressions and being able to inspire people with my little thoughts. I hope to one day create an atmosphere where people can drop their challenges and together help solve them... I am on a journey to success and greatness. I would like for you to join me on that journey.
4 Comments
chapterxix
I’ve due with my first baby in a couple weeks and definitely have some baby weight to lose, so your post was a great reminder of all the true and honest facts we need to know in order to lose weight and get healthier. I needed the reminder!! Great post 🙂
Yeka Asumah
Thank you.
Congrats on being a mother, I’m happy for you Dear and I wish you the best.
Kim
Great post. I’ve learnt about good carbs before and noticed a significant difference when I switched from white grains to whole grains a few years ago.
Yeka Asumah
That’s cool, i’m glad to hear that. Thanks for reading.