Unrefined Carbohydrates help you lose weight.

There are only three macronutrients: Protein, Fat and Carbohydrates.  Our bodies need carbohydrates more than any other substance.  Our muscles cells and brains are designed to run on carbohydrates.  Carbohydrate rich foods, when consumed in their natural state, are low in calories and high in fiber compared with fatty foods, processed foods, or animal products.

The high fiber content of unrefined carbohydrate-rich foods is another crucial reason you will feel more satisfied and not crave more food when you make unrefined carbohydrates the main source of calories in your diet.  All plant foods are a mixture of protein, fat, and carbohydrate.  Even a banana contains about 3.5 percent protein, almost the same as mother's milk.  Fruit and starchy vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, corn and butternut squash, are predominately carbohydrate but also contain some fat and protein.  Green vegetables are about half protein, a quarter carbohydrate, and quarter fat.

If you eat healthy foods, you will automatically get enough of all three macronutrients as long as you do not consume too many calories from white flour, sugar and oil.  So don't fear eating foods rich in carbohydrate and don't be afraid of eating fruit because it contains sugar.  As long as they are unrefined, they should not be excluded from your diet.  In fact, it is impossible to glean all the nutrients needed for optimal health if your diet does not contain lots of carbohydrate-rich food.  

Fresh fruits, beans, and legumes, whole grains, and root vegetables are all examples of foods whose calories come mainly from carbohydrate.  It is the nutrient-per-calorie ratio of these foods that determines their food value.  There is nothing wrong with carbohydrates; it is the empty-calorie, or refined, carbohydrates that are responsible for the bad reputation of "carbs."

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Comments adapted from Joel Fuhrman's book, Eat to Life. P. 150f

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