THE STARCH: GOOD FOR MY DIET PLAN, OR NOT?

Place in a starchy diet is one of the most debated things. What about today?

It puts the church in the village ...

Starchy foods: a definition

The starchy term is not very scientific. Is designated by the word of the foods that are composed primarily of carbohydrates, but are not "sweet" in the traditional sense. Also referred to as complex carbohydrates, by opposition to simple carbohydrates, themselves, bring the sweet taste.

Starchy foods occupy an important place in our diet:

• Cereals (or derived products, such as flour or grits).

• Legumes (beans, dry, chickpeas, lentils, etc.).

• Tubers (potatoes, sweet potatoes).

The only problem is that they have acquired in recent years a bad name. Many plans consist effect ruthlessly eliminate everything that looks like a starchy food for their preferred foods rich in protein.

Why are they sometimes discouraged starchy part of the plans?

Starchy foods bring us a lot of calories - well, it depends what you compare them. Weight for weight, they are between the meat and vegetables.

But counting calories pure is not used to anything. If starches are known to "fatten" is mainly for three reasons:

• They are the family of sugars, or we consume too much sugar.

• We are happy to eat refined carbohydrates (white bread, washed rice, etc.).

• Starchy foods are often eaten with fatty or sugary foods: jam sandwich, macaroni and cheese, etc.

Starchy foods: it's all in how to eat

He does not forget that starchy foods are also desaliments valuable.

Indeed, they represent a very efficient source of energy - that's also why they are the staple diet of humans almost everywhere on earth!

It is therefore recommended to eat starchy foods at every meal - but according to his appetite and no more.

Furthermore, starches do not give us that complex carbohydrates. They can, if well chosen, bring us a lot defibred (in the case of whole grains), vitamins and minerals, but also proteins (legumes are rich).

Starches: 4 Tips to get the best

• It is easy to exceed the starchy dose.

Stop eating as soon as you have the impression of having a full stomach!

• Always prefer whole grains for refined grains.

Bread, pasta and rice are not only health benefits, but also a much richer taste.

• Have a light hand on the accompanying starchy foods: butter, cream, cheese, sauce or jam sweet version, etc.

• See starches as an accompaniment.

They should represent about a quarter of your meal, no more!