Technicality behind CARBS

As humans, we have often struggled to understand complex problems. Instead of digging deeper, we look for something simple to blame.

I feel pity for carbs, sugar and ghee/oil to go through all of this. They have spent decades being put on trial for crimes they didn't even commit.

Imagine telling your grandparents that rice is bad. I wonder if you would win that conversation. I certainly hope not.

Yet today, carbohydrates have become one the most misunderstood food groups on the planet. 
So not just tagging certain food groups as bad but we have also managed to create some myths about them 

Some of the famous ones are
1. Carbs make you fat
2. Rice makes you gain weight
3. Eating carbs at night is bad

And we have made carbs, the enemy number one. I have seen so many people panic when they realise the food that they ordered has sugar in it.

Decoding carbs :

For a very long time, sugar was considered one of the Panchamritas in Ayurveda.
It was worshipped, offered in rituals, and used in naivedyas.

So how did something that was once sacred become something we fear?

According to me, there are two main reasons:

1. We overdo the things we like
2. We believe we need to suffer to achieve results

Well I can explain why I think the above 2 points are genuine. 
If we enjoy something, be it the taste, how any food makes us feel, we tend to overconsume it . Because the taste is so good, that we eat more than what is needed. 

We have lost that ability to pause and ask, "Is this enough?". 
And today, distractions like TV and mobile phones make it even harder to notice when we’ve had enough.

So what happens?
There’s weight gain or discomfort.
And instead of questioning our habits, we blame the food.  “Sugar made me fat.”

We overdo it.

What is the reality then ?

Carbs are energy providers.
They are meant to be present in higher quantities compared to other food groups on our plate.

Haven’t we all learnt in school that carbohydrates make up about 60% of a balanced meal?

So yes, without fear, have that rice, chapati, roti, ragi, sweet potato, even pasta!!!!

But here’s the catch.

Have them the way you were always meant to.

Eat them with ghee, sabji, dal, curd, chicken, fish or whatever side dishes you grew up eating. The way your mom taught you.

Because the real problem isn’t carbs. It’s eating them in isolation.

Unless you’re having just plain white rice with nothing else, trust me, you’re not “spiking insulin” the way people make it sound.

Indian food culture is incredibly rich, and honestly, very scientific in its own way.

A simple, everyday meal: Rice, ghee, dal, pickle, a sabji, and some yoghurt.

Looks basic, right? But it actually covers almost all the essential macro and micronutrients your body needs.

And here’s why it works so beautifully:

When rice is combined with ghee, dal, and vegetables:

• The fat from ghee
• The protein from dal and curd
• The fibre from vegetables 

All come together to slow down digestion and this  means energy is released more steadily, instead of sudden spikes.

And yes, you read it right, even pickle is healthy. Its a probiotic, it improves your gut health and digestion 

So really, it’s a win-win:

• Taste → good
• Nutrition → good
• Health → good

And the best part?
You get to eat everything without fear and restriction.

And honestly, the same logic applies to chapati and even pasta.

How much to eat now ?:

Honestly, this is not something I should be telling you. Eat only as much as you need.

That’s the one factor that can completely change the way your body responds to food.

Appreciate the abundance and the easy access to food but consume only what your body can comfortably handle.

Because anything beyond that or anything your body doesn’t really need, eventually gets stored as fat.

And we don’t want that, right?

But this doesn’t mean you start measuring everything.

There’s no rule that says, one must not exceed more than :

• 100g rice
• 30g sabji

No! Food doesn’t work that way in real life.

You don’t need a weighing scale in your kitchen every single day. 

The moment you start over-measuring, you start overcomplicating.

At the same time, you also shouldn’t judge your food based on how much others are eating.

Every body is different. There is no standard quantity that can be labelled as less or more or correct .

So what’s the simplest way to look at it?

Eat until you feel about 80% full.

This gives your body:

• enough nourishment
• enough space for digestion

And prevents that heavy, sluggish feeling after meals at the same time, you won’t feel deprived or constantly hungry either.

And honestly, it’s not that hard to monitor if you just pay attention.

Eat mindfully. Focus on your food and chew your food slowly and properly. Your body actually needs more that 15 mins to signal about the fullness.

And you begin to notice when it’s time to stop.

Also, let’s simplify one more thing. There’s nothing called “good food” or “bad food.”

It’s always about quantity and context.

A few chips with your meal? That’s fine.
But finishing an entire packet mindlessly? That’s where the problem starts.

Try keeping things simple:

• Buy smaller quantities of packaged food
• Eat more home-cooked meals
• Choose locally grown foods as much as possible

Because when food is made at home, quantities are naturally balanced. We don’t overload salt, oil, or spices just to enhance taste, we cook in a way that feels right.

And food prepared in limited quantities?
That almost always leads to better eating habits.

Here is the Cheat Sheet :

Like I said earlier, there’s nothing called good food or bad food.
So no; there are no “good carbs” or “bad carbs” either.

  

 So go on, ask me:

   Is poori good?
   Is kachori good?
   Is gulab jamun good?

Well… they’re definitely not bad. They’re   just high in calories and low in nutrients.

And that’s okay, as long as you understand where they fit.

1. Have them once in a while.
2. Have them during occasions, seasons, or when you genuinely feel like having it.

3. Have it alone like a midmeal or snack, not with your main meals. It just loads too many calories.

Is it Intelligence? :

As long as you know how much gulab jamun to eat and how much rice to eat, you are safe!! infact you are intelligent...

And speaking of intelligence, there’s something else I want to point out.

We tend to go a little overboard the moment something is labelled “healthy.”

The best example? Rice.

The moment people hear that white rice has less fibre, they immediately switch to brown rice because it has more fibre.

Sounds like a smart move, right?  Not always!!!

Because more is not always better.

Excess fibre can sometimes interfere with nutrient absorption and may not suit everyone, and it does more bad than good.

There’s a reason traditional processes existed. Brown rice was often pounded to remove excess outer layers, making it easier to digest while still retaining nourishment.

  

That wasn’t done out of boredom, it was practical wisdom.

  And with that, I think we’ve understood carbs a little better.

  So go ahead…

  Eat your rice.
  Eat Mangoes
  Eat your chapati.
  Eat your favourite foods.

 Just eat them with awareness. 

Happy carbing & Healthy Living😄

We can concentrate on another food group in the next blog.