When Arman mentioned that carbs were going to be the theme for this week’s Spill it Sunday, I immediately knew I had to participate. I mean… a chance to devote an entire post to some of my favourite foods?! All over it. And I realize that it’s nowhere near Sunday, but when the blog schedule is packed with recipes, WIAWs, and ToLs, certain adjustments have to be made… and I figured it was better [early] than never. So without further ado, let’s talk about carbs…
1. What is your all time favourite carbohydrate based food/dish?
Easy peasy — my morning bowl of oats. I’m pretty sure the main reason I get out of bed is because of the prospect of eating a delicious breakfast, and I’m pretty sure the main reason I find breakfast so delicious is because it’s a) sweet, and b) oaty. I’ll switch things up every now and then, but I always find myself coming back to my beloved oats. Pancakes, eggs, and waffles are lunch and dinner foods around these parts 😉
2. What is your favourite fruit?
Okay, this one isn’t so easy… I mean, I probably eat around 5 or 6 servings of fruit a day, so how am I supposed to limit myself to just one kind? If I absolutely had to, though, I would go with bananas — I already eat around 2-3 a day, and they’re just so versatile and taste so good with so many different things. That being said, I would miss apples, blueberries, watermelon, and peaches like crazy…
3. What is your favourite grain?
I’m pretty sure that anyone who’s been reading Spoons for any amount of time can answer this one — oats. Not only do I adore starting my days with a nice warm bowl of them, but they’re also my favourite thing to bake with… in case you couldn’t tell from my recipes 😉
Banana Oat Greek Yogurt Pancakes
Soft and Chewy Protein Granola Bars
Flourless Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Muffins
4. What is your favourite starchy vegetable?
Kabocha (sorry Arman, but potatoes come in a close second). I recently baked up a kabocha after not having one for a little over a month, and I can’t believe that I kind of forgot how much I adore this squash. I could easily polish off an entire one in a single sitting if I wasn’t wary of the inevitable stomach ache that would follow… which may or may not still happen on occasion… especially if almond butter is involved 😯
5. Which carb receives unfair flack? Which carb is most overrated?
I actually feel like carbs in general have been getting a lot of flack lately… especially as things like Paleo and Whole30 become more and more popular. I can appreciate the fact that different diets work for different people and that some individuals thrive when they reduce their carb intake, but I don’t like the idea of vilifying any kind of foods or making absolute statements like “X will make you fat/sick/etc.” I definitely think it’s important to try to keep our intake of processed and refined carbs in check, but saying that things like oats and rice aren’t good to eat? Ehhhhh.
As for which carb is most overrated, I’m going to go with brown rice on this one. Maybe it’s because I prefer the taste of white rice to brown, and my stomach seems to have an easier time digesting the former, but I do think that people can be a little too adamant about making sure their rice is brown, especially since brown rice contains phytic acid, which can interfere in the absorption of certain minerals. I know they say that brown rice is supposed to make you feel fuller for longer, but I’ve honestly never noticed a difference.
6. Link up a favourite carb embracing recipe (it can be your own or another bloggers!)
Need I remind you of the five batches of soft and chewy granola bars that I whipped up in a little less than a month? Definitely a favourite… and I definitely see a sixth batch on the horizon.
7. What is YOUR perception of this macronutrient?
Carbs make my world go round. They’re easily my favourite of the macros, and even though everyone seems to say that fats and protein are the key to feeling satisfied, I don’t really find that to be the case for me — if my meal doesn’t have a nice serving of carbs in it, I’ll be prowling the kitchen a short while later, looking for something more to eat. I do wish they would stop getting so much hate, but I know they work for me so I’m going to keep on keeping on.
8. What benefits do CARBS play in YOUR personal eating habits?
Oh geez, where do I even begin… They give me energy and make me happy. They make my stomach happy. They taste delicious… My body just seems to function better on a higher-carb diet, and I’ve always experienced a host of negative effects whenever I’ve tried to cut back in the past. I try to be mindful of the quality of the carbs that I take in, as certain ones (lookin’ at you, sugar!) start making me feel crappy after a little while, but like I said… they work for me.
How do you feel about carbs?
What’s your favourite carb-based dish?
What’s your favourite grain?
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Carbs are the light of my life. I want to write them sonnets and sing them love songs. Potatoes and bread and rice (white or brown, give it to me), and cake and cookies and… ALL OF IT. Love.
Love it! Long live the CARB QUEENS!! *fist bump* I do feel like I’m one of those people who feel more satisfied with a higher amount of protein in my diet, but I could never and WOULD never limit my carb loving ways! There’s just nothing like a box, I mean a BOWL of cereal after a hectic day! Haha! But right now…I’m totally craving a bowl of oats with almond butter and banana! 😉
I feel the same way when it comes to Kabocha. It’s delicious!
Amanda, how do you fit in 5 or 6 servings of fruit a day? Can you give me an idea? I only get in one.
Fruits are actually some of my favourite things, so I love incorporating them into my meals and snacks. For breakfast I’ll throw a banana and/or some berries into my oatmeal. For lunch/dinner I’ll usually have a piece of fruit (apple/orange) on the side of my meal. And for snacks I’ll either just eat fruit straight up, have it with nut butter, yogurt, or cereal, or toss a bunch in a smoothie.
Amen, amen…a million times, AMEN.
I love carbs. Always have, always will. No shame. (:
weirdly I’m a big brown rice fan. I always seem to have leftovers of it and it makes it’s way into my breakfast when I’m having a lazy morning and don’t want to make oats.
I appreciate your nice way of putting this whole “ditch the carbs trend”…my post tomorrow is not so nice about it. Whoops!
Hi Amanda,
I completely agree with you about brown rice-I abhor it. I much prefer basmati white rice–indian rice is divine, mexican rice-yum. Can you share the recipe for the pic of rice broccoli and red pepper (2nd to last pic-looks like tofu).
also I have never had Kabocha squash-is it similar to acorn or butternut?
Hi Monica! The dish is just a simple stir fry that I don’t usually measure out the ingredients for, but I’ve been getting some questions about it so I’ll try to do a recipe post on it in the future 🙂
In love with this post girl!:) Plus, with the addition to my oats in the morning, I’m DIGGING the same deal with breakfast:)<3 Lots of Love to you<3
Big shout out to the winter squash and sweet potatoes too:) LOVE MY HEALTHY CARBS<3
I’d love to come spend a day (or 2, 3, 4…) with you. Well, thats if you promise to make me every single goodie you mentioned in this post? Ya know what, to make it easier.. i’ll even give ya hand 🙂 LOL
Do I like carbs? Oh girl, I could eat carbs for every single meal & be completely satisified.
I am VERY interested in making those granola bars… but is it absolutely necessary that I add the flax? I do not have any and am feeling rather lazy. 😉
No you could probably get by just fine without it. I just tossed it in as an afterthought to add a little bit of extra nutrition.
1. Love em, they give me the energy I need to take over the world..
2. My favourite carb based dish is probably waffles or pancakes that use bananas in the base or GRANOLA
3. Spelt is on the top of my list right now, being that it is easier to digest than most grains I’ve been using it lots I’m recipes lately 🙂
I’m on par with you! I’ve experimented a bit with the “reduced carb” and “paleo” thing in the past, and never felt fulfilled at the end of a day. I need a healthy dose of grains in my diet to feel healthy and happy. I realize that some people experience negative side effects from eating the stuff, but like you said…you have to do what works for YOU, not what works for the other bloggers or most popular diet book on the market.
CARBS, how I love thee. You give me energy and you make me want to groove all day long.
Oats all the way, girl. All the dang way. I can’t believe the only use I had for oatmeal a few years ago was as a natural skin exfoliator/mask thing. What a shame.
I’d have to say farro and brown rice come in second though. I love their hearty texture! Oh and hearty bread. I am a huuuuge sucker for some amazing bread.
Favorite grain-based meal: overnight oats.
Oooo you just reminded me that I have to start using oats in face masks again. Here’s hoping I won’t be tempted to eat it before it gets on my face 😉
Poor carbs. It’s as though they’ve become slang for bread/pasta/sugar, all of which are delicious, amazing and I wish I could eat them all day everyday. That doesn’t work for me, though. I’m pretty sensitive and prone to blood imbalances, so I try to pair my “carbs” (usually fruit/veg/legumes) with some fat & protein.
Grains make me bloated so I try to keep them as a treat food. And by grains I mean muffins/cupcakes/bread. Hahahaha
I’m pretty sure I couldn’t function without carbs..oh wait, they’re our bodies main source of energy so yeah scientifically it would be hard to function without carbs.
I love them, I try to eat them in as close to an unprocessed state as possible (I’m looking at sugar too), but I don’t ever try to reduce my intake of the complex ones. Me and carbs are BFF’s.
I’m part of the carb fan club right along side you girl! I really don’t feel satisfied without them either (but I also don’t feel satisfied without protein and fat – I need a balance of all 3!) – and I notice that they give me a really pleasant fullness that I can’t get from protein and fat alone.
Choosing my favourite grain is way too hard though! I obviously adore oats, but I also love short grain brown rice and wheat in the form of doughy bread. As for my favourite carby meal, I’m going to have to go with oatmeal or grilled cheese made on bakery bread!
This is a great post! I too am skeptical about the anti-carb fad… eat what your body needs, ya know? I’m not giving up my morning oats, either!
I love carbs as well 🙂 Oats are one of my faves, but I can’t eat them too often or they mess with my stomach :/
I say yes to carbs! Without bread and pasta in my life, it would be a sad, sad world. For months, I’ve trolled the grocery aisles and produce sections looking for this kabocha you all speak of, and it’s nowhere to be found. I’m seriously considering driving an hour out of town to the Whole Foods because it’s the last place I haven’t checked!
Do you have any Asian markets near you? I’ve heard some people say they had luck finding them there!
As a vegan, I can’t stand to see carbs get bashed! They make up a huge part of my diet. Love, love, love. It’s funny that you say brown rice is overrated. I’ve always been partial to it for some reason. I just love the chewiness. Health completely aside, I’ve always liked it better than white! You know if you soak it before cooking it, it’s easier to digest. Maybe then it wouldn’t give you tummy troubles.
Carbalicious…. I want to devour everything in this post! No low-carbin for me!!
I love this post! I do like carbs buuuut for me personally its all about the fat. I love fat and I’ve definitely found that I function best on a high-fat diet. Embrace our differences right?! That said, life without fruit, sweet potatoes, and just good ol’ carbs, is no life at all!
It’s definitely all about finding what works for you. The best diet is the one that makes you feel happy and healthy 🙂