Are carbohydrates really the reason we gain weight? There are many diets that are fat heavy and tell us to stay away from carbohydrates because many of the simple carbohydrates are then turned into sugar. It is understood that many processed foods are high in calories and carbs which leads to weight gain, however, there are many carbs that are good for us and nutritious too. The problem is, without carbs, you may be missing out on key nutrients you need for your body to function well and stay healthy. A recent article in Cnet explored the idea of good carbs and you should consider this when you are on a diet. Sure, restricting carbs may speed initial weight loss however, you may be adversely affecting your health in the long run. Check out the article from Cnet below Cutting carbs? A dietitian explains 6 reasons you shouldn't Low-carb diets aren't the only key to weight loss and health. Amanda Capritto April 10, 2020 "Carbohydrate" was once just a noun used to refer to a macronutrient, but it has now become "carbs," the noun to avoid, to blame and to count, laments Registered Dietitian Ashley Koff, founder of The Better Nutrition Program. The prevailing sentiment that carbs are the enemy grew as the number of "hyper processed, refined and fortified" foods grew, Koff tells CNET. Those kinds of foods -- sugary cereals, white bread, candy and the like -- contain empty calories, or calories void of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Not all carbs are bad, though: "Foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, may be high in carbs and calories sometimes, but they are not empty," Koff says. "They deliver fiber, protein, B vitamins and other nutrients." People often turn to low-carb or keto diets as a quick way to lose weight -- keto diets are known to induce rapid weight loss in the first few weeks, but it's not always sustainable. For one thing, everyone is different and won't see the same results on a low-carb diet, Koff explains, and secondly, it's hard to keep up with a carb-free diet long-term. Read more