If you’ve always assumed you should avoid eating carbs if you’re trying lose weight, then you’re definitely alone.
But, according to one health expert, there’s really no need for a self-imposed ban on carbs, even at night.
While we’ve always been told that it’s better to avoid carbs later in the day, eating them early on in order to give our bodies the chance to burn them off, one health expert reckons there’s no need for a self-imposed carb curfew.
In fact, dietician Lyndi Cohen told Mail Online that eating unrefined carbohydrates in the evening – such as brown rice, quinoa, fruit and vegetables including sweet potato – can actually offer some surprising benefits, including reduced sugar cravings and even a better night’s sleep.
‘If you have night cravings, a whole piece of fruit or some plain Greek yoghurt may not only help satisfy a sweet tooth but it could help you have a better night’s sleep,’ she said.
This, she explained, is because unrefined carbs can have a regulatory effect on your hormones, including the sleep hormone serotonin.
As well as this, Cohen argues that eating the right carbs can actually help you achieve your weight loss goals.
‘Carbs have been getting a bad rap in the last few years,’ she said. ‘Eating smart carbs keep your blood sugar levels more stable, which impacts on insulin [the metabolism hormone] levels.
‘Not only does this help you better manage weight, but it can also help keep your mood more stable.’
