Carbs: Good or Bad for You?

With the explosion of low- and no-carb diets, these basic nutrients have fallen out of favor. But are they really that bad for you?

- By Emily Kane

Q: So, are carbs “bad”? I’m confused.

—Joshua H., Myrtle Beach, S.C.

A: Everyone is unique, and we all need to experiment with different diets to find what works best for us. Be open and honest with yourself about which food choices help you to stay healthy, and which foods you need to give up. It can be a complex process, but there are a few basic principles:

1. Stay well-hydrated with water, and drink it mostly between meals.

2. Eat whole (unprocessed) food as much as possible.

3. Focus on vegetables. Shop for and prepare piles of veggies twice a week.

4. Minimize beef and pork consumption.

5. Don’t overeat. 6. Don’t eat within 2–3 hours of bedtime.

There’s nothing revolutionary there— but you do need to mostly stick to the plan.

Food Used to Be Simpler