By Nicci Micco, M.S., editor-at-large for EatingWell Magazine
I've never been a fan of low-carb diets: Our bodies and our brains need carbohydrates to work effectively.
Of course, not all carbohydrates are created equally. First of all, fruits, dairy and vegetables are all sources of carbohydrates. And when it comes to starches, there are indeed "good" carbs (we'll get to that in a sec) and the "bad" ones that, if you eat them all the time, can raise your risk of developing diseases like heart disease and diabetes. (We're talking about doughnuts, cakes and even refined white breads.) On the flip side, eating "good carbs" in place of refined ones can reduce your risk of these very same diseases -- and may even help you to lose weight because they're generally rich in fiber.
Here are six "great" carbs to keep in your diet.
Do you avoid carbs when you're trying to lose weight?
By Nicci Micco
Nicci Micco is editor-at-large for EatingWell and co-author of EatingWell 500-Calorie Dinners. She has a master's degree in nutrition and food sciences, with a focus in weight management.
For more by EatingWell writers, click here.
For more on diet and nutrition, click here.