Not all carbs are bad: Debunk a few Misconceptions

Carbohydrates have been made the unfair villain in recent years. It takes the blame for weight gain, Blood Pressure or blood sugar issues. Everyone around you instantly asks you to cut down on your carbs if you complain about health issues. But this is a complete misconception. What exactly are carbohydrates? Why are they good or bad for our health? Long story short, not all carbs are bad. Yes, you heard that right! Let’s see how.

Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients our bodies need to survive. They are made of dietary fibres, sugars and starches found naturally in plants and dairy products. They are one of the main sources of energy for your body and also additionally help in the strengthening of the immune system. Our bodies break them down into glucose, which directly gives us energy. So, they’re super important to keep you healthy and fit. You’ll be surprised to know that most fruits, vegetables and legumes you love are packed with carbohydrates- but the good kind! Your favourite HALO freeze dried fruit snacks are also packed with nutrition, including carbohydrates, needed for your body to stay healthy and thrive.

Good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates: How do you distinguish between the two? 

Here’s a simple thumb rule with carbohydrates: Complex is better.

Fruits, vegetables and leafy greens usually have complex good carbohydrates with multiple layers of fibre starch and bran, thereby slowing down the digestion process. Slower the digestion, the more stable the release of glucose. So, you won’t have sudden spikes in your blood sugar. Simple carbs, on the other hand, go straight to the blood, causing sudden spikes in your energy levels. But on the downside, it also falls as fast as it rises, leaving you feeling hungry sooner. This makes you overeat, leading to weight gain and a host of other health problems.

Food rich in good carbohydrates:

• Fruits and vegetables (Including freeze dried fruits)
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains, brown rice and legumes like beans

Foods with bad carbohydrates to eat in moderation:

• White bread 
• Refined dough and pastries
• Refined sugar and soft drinks

The benefits of good carbohydrates:

We’ve already established that good carbs give your body the energy it needs to function properly. But what it also does is fuels different parts of our body like the brain, the digestive system, the heart and the blood vessels. This makes sure that it reduces the risk of diabetes and heart-related ailments. The energy given by these carbs is also stored in the body to be released whenever your body needs it. Fatigue, body ache, lack of energy and focus and general sluggishness can be the result of not eating enough carbohydrates, so watch out!

Carbohydrates, with a healthy mix of protein, vitamins and minerals, makes the perfect meal for your body. Consume a healthy portion of all nutrients by knowing exactly what goes on your plate. 

With a fitness conscious mindset on the rise, we’re not only looking for meals that can be wholesome yet nutritious, but also snacks. While most of us are able to balance our meals, it’s the mindless snacking that is turning out to be the culprit that’s hindering our fitness journey. We have just the solution for you. A snack that is 100% natural, nutritious, tasty AND crunchy, loaded with the goodness of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and carbohydrates to munch on, on the go, all year round. Yes, you got that right: HALO freeze dried fruit snacks.

HALO is the master of healthy snacking. Fresh fruits are picked from select farms across the country to make the tastiest snacks just for you. Through a process called lyophilisation, the water content in the fruit is removed, leaving behind just the fruit with all its nutrients intact; leaving you with bite-sized, crunchy fruit pieces that are tasty, unique and healthy!

Fruits that are rich in carbohydrates:

• Apple: Apples are loaded with vitamins, fibre and carbs, and also have a sweet-tangy flavour that everyone relishes. HALO freeze dried golden apple snacks do the trick in filling you with fruity goodness and goes so well with custards and ice creams!
• Mangoes: The king of tropical fruits, the sweet and delicious mangoes are great for the body! With carbs, potassium, Vitamins A & C and fibre, they fill you with energy to take on the day! With HALO freeze dried mangoes, you don’t have to wait for mango season to enjoy the perfect combination of taste and health. You can store these snacks for a long time and have them all year round.
• Banana and strawberry:  HALO offer a combination of banana and strawberry in a single packet, for the ultimate taste and nutrition mix. Bananas are packed with potassium, Vitamin A and C, and a lot of carbohydrates, giving you a good boost of energy and keeping your heart healthy. Strawberries are filled with protein, dietary fibre, carbs and iron to keep your heart healthy. You can top your breakfast cereal or smoothies with freeze dried bananas and strawberries to start your day in a unique way.

HALO is also available in other variants including pineapple, papaya and strawberry. Enjoy nutrition with a crunchy twist. HALO is 100% natural, with no added preservatives, sugar or refined and bad carbohydrates. They are vegan friendly and gluten-free, making it a universal snack for any demographic. Easy to carry and consume on the go, these snacks are the perfect travel companion. Don’t worry about good carbohydrates or bad carbohydrates with this one! Buy and relish them to your heart’s content.