SAY ‘YES’ TO CARBOHYDRATES

Americans love dieting. Many television ads, magazine articles, and diet-food companies say that carbohydrates are bad for the human body and they cause obesity.

They say we should avoid foods such as pasta, potatoes, rice and white bread, and we should eat meats and vegetables instead. However, the human body needs carbohydrates to be able to work properly. If people do not eat enough carbs, their health will not be good at all.

Most foods that we eat every day are full of carbohydrates. Many people believe that carbohydrates can only be found in filling foods, such as potatoes and pastas. Carbohydrates are also found in vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and whole grains. Many foods that contain carbohydrates also have essential health benefits. Some protect against high blood pressure and heart disease, while others can help to prevent cancer and strokes.

Carbohydrates provide muscles and the brain with the energy they need to work properly. They also make our organs, tissues, and cells healthy. Some types of carbohydrates actually reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Carbohydrates also contain antioxidants, which protect the body's cells from cancer.

The human body cannot survive only on carbohydrates. We also need proteins and fats to have a healthy body. In fact, the food pyramid shows that a person should eat six to eleven servings of breads, grains, and pastas, and three to four servings of fruits and vegetables – all carbohydrate-containing foods - every day.