How many times have you heard that eating carbohydrates (sandwiches, pasta, rice, potatoes …) at night makes you fatter? Surely more than one. But the truth is that, in general, it does not add more or less calories than doing it for the day.
Whether carbohydrates make you fat or not depends more on what you eat throughout the day. And the key, more than in the hour at which they are taken, is not to overdo the amount.
What are carbohydrates?
The body uses carbohydrates to replenish glycogen stores (the body's "gasoline"). And only if they are full transforms what is left over into fat. And that happens at any time. Thus, if you have had a lot of physical activity during the day and if you have not eaten a lot of carbohydrates, nothing will happen to have dinner.
List of foods rich in carbohydrates:
Many people are convinced that you have to stop eating carbohydrates when you are on a diet, and associate carbohydrates only with bread, pasta, rice, sweets or sugary drinks. But there are other products, rich in complex carbohydrates, much healthier. Apart from cereals and legumes, they are also found in greens and vegetables, as well as fruits.
- Not all carbs are the same. Opt for legumes, whole grains, vegetables, or fruit. And avoid flour, refined cereals and sugars (sweets, buns …).
- Comprehensive version. They have more fiber, are more satisfying and are absorbed more slowly. Be careful because what they call "wholemeal" sometimes is not such and only has a small amount of whole wheat flour. Do not strain it: look at the labeling, whole wheat flour should be first on the list of foods.
- Pasta and rice. You will absorb them more slowly and the spikes in blood sugar will be less marked if you do not cook them too much and let them cool before eating them, since this way their starch becomes resistant.
Do carbohydrates then make you fat or not?
According to a study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel), when carbohydrates are consumed at night they make us feel more satiated the next day, eat less and lose weight. But remember, it all depends on the physical activity you do and what you eat for the rest of the day. So if you're going to be planted in the chair all day, drop that plate of macaroni for the sake of your waist …
