Carbs at night? Nutritionist shares underrated benefit
Why it's important not to cut carbohydrates from your diet (photo: Freepik)
Cutting out carbohydrates is one of the most common mistakes people make when trying to improve their eating habits. In reality, this food group plays several important roles in the body, Ukrainian nutritionist Kateryna Krupkina explained.
Why are people afraid of carbohydrates?
According to the expert, the fear of carbohydrates has persisted for years, despite their essential role in providing energy to muscles and supporting overall health.
"Every third client says: 'Are we really going to eat carbohydrates? No, I'll gain weight from them.' This is a myth we can't get rid of. Carbohydrates are necessary," the specialist notes.
Krupkina explains that strict bans are also harmful. For example, going 21 days without sweets. According to her, food performs several functions at once: it gives health, energy, and pleasure. If you remove the last one, a breakdown is inevitable sooner or later.
She also says you shouldn't limit dinner to just vegetables and protein. A complete plate must include carbohydrates as well, and in fact, eating them in the evening can improve sleep.
Why evening carbohydrates help you fall asleep
Krupkina explains the mechanism: if a person doesn't consume carbohydrates, their blood sugar drops, and the body is forced to raise cortisol to restore balance.
Cortisol, in turn, blocks the action of melatonin, a sleep hormone.
"If we eat carbohydrates in the evening, we have energy, and cortisol doesn't rise. And cortisol is the antagonist of melatonin. So if it doesn't increase, we fall asleep well," the expert says.
She clarifies that this refers to complex carbohydrates: pasta, potatoes, corn, legumes, and grains. These provide a steady supply of energy and help maintain a stable blood sugar level.
Fast carbohydrates, on the other hand, cause sharp spikes in energy and aren't suitable for dinner.
Earlier, we revealed what's better to start your day with: protein or carbohydrates.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
