Carbs have had a bad rap among dieters since low-carb diets, like Atkins, rose in popularity in the early 2000s. Before then, simple carbs formed the base of the now-outdated food pyramid. At the time, diet experts recommended that bread, cereal, rice, and pasta should make up most of your diet, accounting for six to 11 servings per day—which exceeds the recommended servings of the fruit and vegetable groups combined.
Even though they are delicious, carb-heavy favorites like bread, pasta, cereal, and rice are often blamed for our collectively rising rates of heart disease, obesity, and insulin resistance.
Not all carbs are a dietary evil, though, and not eating enough carbs can lead to unpleasant symptoms like headaches, GI irregularity, and fatigue. On the flip side, the fact that your body needs some carbs to function does not mean you should go carb-crazy all day, every day.
