4 November 2008

Dietitians give the all-clear on carbs

Mention of the words "carbs" and "dieting" in the same breath usually leads many of us to think of banning bread and pushing potatoes off the plate. But the British Dietetic Association (BDA) has issued a new fact sheet explaining why carbs are top of the class when it comes to healthy foods to help with weight loss.

The Atkins Diet is probably the biggest culprit when it comes to giving carbs a bad press, but many celebrities have also shunned carbs in the form of wheat, which  they mistakenly claim causes bloating and weight gain. However according to registered dietitian and BDA spokesman Sue Baic, this is rarely the case. Sue says: “ Intolerance to wheat is not a cause of weight gain. Basing our meals on starchy carbohydrates such as pasta, bread or breakfast cereal  is vital for helping us feel satisfied so we don't snack on less healthy high fat, high sugar foods. These carbs, along with others such as rice, oats or potatoes, also provide the fuel our brain and muscles need.”

Many carbohydrate foods are a key vehicle for providing wholegrains in the diet. Sue continues: “Currently, in the UK we have very low intakes of wholegrains. Wholegrains – the complete package of the grain – are foods such as wholemeal bread, porridge, brown rice and breakfast cereals that are labelled as wholegrain, including bran flakes. These foods not only provide fibre, which can help prevent constipation, but a range of other vital nutrients and plant substances which help protect against heart disease and cancer. Recommendations are that we should be choosing wholegrain varieties of carbs instead of more refined white varieties where possible.”

To help people make good diet choices when it comes to carbs and wholegrains, the BDA has released a new factsheet ‘Confused about Carbs?’ which explains some of the science behind these healthy energy foods and explodes some of the myths that have been reported.

The British Dietetic Association’s fact sheets on Carbs and Wholegrains can be viewed or downloaded and printed free from www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts.

  1. Fact sheet on Carbs.
  2. Fact sheet on Wholegrains.

Media enquiries to The British Dietetic Association and requests for interviews should be directed to our media hotline on 0870 850 2517 or pr@bda.uk.com.

 

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Notes to Editors

  1. The British Dietetic Association, founded in 1936, is the professional association for registered dietitians in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is the nation’s largest organisation of food and nutrition professionals with nearly 6,000 members. About two-thirds of members are employed in the National Health Service. The remaining members work in education, industry, research, sport settings or freelance.
  2. Registered dietitians hold the only legally-recognisable graduate qualification in nutrition and dietetics. They are experts in interpreting and translating the science of nutrition into practical ways of promoting nutritional well-being, disease treatment and the prevention of nutrition-related problems. Their advice is sound and   based on current scientific evidence. Registration, awarded by the Health Professionals Council, is an indication that a dietitian is fit to practise and is working within an agreed statement of conduct. For further details about the British Dietetic Association, please visit our website: www.bda.uk.com.

 

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