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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Oh my favorite carb is definitely oatmeal! And butternut squash if that counts is a very very close second!
I would have to say that carbs are my favorite, but fats come in close. 😉
I absolutely love oatmeal and fruit. I don’t know how to choose just one.. Oh my.
Carbs are delicious. They give me energy. I love em!
Is it bad to get a carb coma at 6.06am? Nah. Never. Work can just suffer.
I honestly cannot think of a blogger who I’d associate better with carbs baha. And 3 bananas a day? Let’s be thankful you didn’t visit Australia a few years back- we had a banana shortage due to the floods and it was like ‘fruit gold’= $13 for a single banana at some places- smoothie shops and juice bars actually had to stop making their banana incorporated shakes!
Yes. White rice > brown rice. White Basmati is what I grew up on, and love cooking it in coconut milk and sea salt.
Tomorrow’s WIAW will make up for your potato insults. Boom.
$13 for one banana?! Omg I’d have to sell one of my kidneys on the black market to support my addiction. Thankfully they’re about $1 per lb over here. And coconut basmati rice is pretty much the best thing there is. Thank you for sparking a craving.
Hi Amanda!
This is a great post. I am a carb lover too. As a student studying to become a Registered Dietitian, I read so many articles about ‘oh, carbs are bad for you.’ But really, they are good for you. They are the body’s primary source of energy.
Oats and brown rice are my favorites! Apples and bananas are my favorite fruit.
Thanks for posting this,
Helen
I love carbs, they deserve their own food group…that and bacon too 🙂
As a Dietitian I want to thank you for throwing out some carb love! Carbs totally have been getting a bad rep lately, and it’s crazy. Carbs are so important for fuel and energy, especially if you’re a more active person. I also have to completely agree with you on oats= love. I used to be an avid cereal eater until I rediscovered the amazingness that oats are… so many ways to use them! Definitely looking at your granola bar recipe as a must make too!
Carbs have always been my favorite. When my eating disorder first begin in the late 1980’s carbs were in and fats ere the villain du jour. I basically subsisted on all carbs since I was a soy-avoiding fat-phobic vegetarian. I have come to embrace fats and relinquished the vegetarian label. I still love carbs but I have been influenced of late by the Paleo, Whole 30, etc. movement. I eat carbs with every meal but when I need to add calories I am hesitant to add grain-based carbs. I agree with you in that vilifying an entire food group is NOT healthy so it frustrates me that I somewhat buy into the hype. If I spend time reflecting it is obvious food trends more often than fashion; skinny jeans one day, flare the next. I think satiety is largely a matter of perception and I am not satisfied if my meal lacks some sort of starch.
My favorite starchy vegetable is probably peas although I cannot remember the last time I had any. I guess it just seems like something a mom would serve not something I would cook for myself.
My favorite grain, of late, is wild rice. Technically it is a grass seed so I didn’t actually answer your question but I also consider tomatoes vegetables svn though there are fruits. I’m such a rule breaker!
I am a carb-o-holic … unfortunately, my intake is still on the processed/refined carbs; breads, cookies, donuts, chips. Naughty but nummy carbs. Although I like some fruits, I have a hard time getting even one serving a day. I like bananas … I LOVE your picture of the banana. Did you take that yourself? Great food photography if you did!
I can’t convert to brown rice – or dark chocolate. The “better for you” versions hold no appeal.
Thanks Jen! I did take it myself 🙂
I’m with you – I tried reducing my carb intake a while back and while it worked more or less well if I had a good dose of protein (aka a biggish piece of steak) with some veg for example I found that no amount of protein or fats for lunch could keep me full for more than 2 hours! but as soon as I begun to throw in a slice of bread/a sandwich into the mix my tummy was satisfied.
It’s so true what you said about not having enough carbs left you prowling the cupboards for more food very quickly after. It took me a while to connect the dots but now I know I need carbs in the middle of the day!
Ohhhh carbs, how I LOVE YOU! Probably a little bit too much… I very much believe that carbs are an important part of our diet, BUT sometimes I probably go a little overboard on them. Ehhh, it happens, right? 😉
I’m with you…I LOVE eating my carbs and that is not EVER going to change : )
I love carbs. I actually have to eat quite a bit of carbs in my diet to fuel my long trainings. You can’t run 10-15 miles several times per week without them. It’s a fine balance though. I have to make sure I combine enough protein with them too. My favorites are oatmeal and quinoa. OMG Amanada…you have me drooling again with all your good foods. I need to try your granola bars. Five batches!?! They must have been seriously good.
I definitely think that balance is the most important part. A little bit of everything is the best way to go about doing it 🙂
Carbs are my favorite too….I always look forward to them in my meal and have also experienced negative effects when cutting them too low. FYI I eat mostly paleo and it is NOT low carb,! It can be lower carb if you don’t watch out but like I said I love carbs and make sure to get my fair share. Oats are something I in miss sometimes but plantains, bananas, sweet potatoes are my fav!
I want aaallllll the food in this post! Those chewy granola bars look freaking amazing though. And the almond protein bars. Oats are definitely a great choice! I think it’d be hard for me to pick one favorite though 🙂
This is so interesting. I always enjoy reading about other peoples food choices (especially carbohydrates). It also gives me a good idea of what to make recipes with. I honestly think any carbohydrates that aren’t fruit or vegetables get the most flack. A lot of people would do this survey and say something along the lines of my favorite is fruit, ect…no you need whole grains too.
I really can’t believe you virtually slapped me with 11 pictures of mouth watering carbloaded heaven. Yes, I counted. Woman, you know I am stuck at the office for another 8 hours! With that being said, I tried to make an Amanda bowl of fluffy oats yesterday and failed. I used 1/2 c oats, 1/2 egg whites whipped in, stevia, butter extract, and a heavy hand on ab on top. Where did I go wrong? Hmm..maybe it’s the cinnamon that does the trick…!
Speaking of kabocha belly, I have been eating half a large kabocha every night with brinner. Yes, I go to bed uncomfortably full. But is it just me or is it really difficult to stop eating those perfectly crisp edges and densely chewy centers? And when the heck are restaurants going to catch on and start serving kabocha?! I may pack some roasted booch (haha, new nick name) on the plane ride to Blend. Quiet an appropriate mid-morning snack, eh?
Lastly, I may start pressuring you for a foodie trade off at blend. Some legit maple syrup from your parts for a tub of Ricemellow or your favorite AB only available at Sprouts…. 😉
Geebus. I write books on your posts 😯
1/2 cup of whites is a lot of whites! I think that definitely may have thrown off the texture a bit — I only use two large whites at most (which is 1/4 cup, I think?). And I’d be more than happy to do a foodie swap as long as you don’t ask me to bring something that’ll get me arrested when I’m going through customs 😉 E-mail me and we can go through the deets!
Among all these fancy schmancy grains; simple, good ol versatile oats hold no.1 in my heart too. Aah yes the squash belly is inevitable! I actually don’t do rice at all. Brown rice does seem to be very popular.
Carbs used to be by fave macro..but since I’ve brought a good amount of Fat into my diet it has to share the limelight 😉 . Because oatmeal is little lonely without nut butter.
Very true! But nut butter is a little lonely without oatmeal… and banana 😉
Since I am usually a very active person, carbs are my friend! Fruit is my favorite card, for sure!
I have been eating tons of bananas too! I love my oats, potatoes, etc. But I definitely can see a reason to reduce white flour in most diets… which I think is at the heart of the anti-carb craze.
I totally agree with carbs making the world go round. I could not give them up ever, and my meals aren’t satisfying no matter how much protein I have unless there are some carbs, haha. Oatmeal is one of my favorite thing to wake up to 😉
I love healthy, whole grain and naturally occurring carbs. Fruit is my addiction – I could eat it all day long! Sweet potatoes, oats, quinoa and brown rice are some of my other staples. I think there is room for everything – just have to remember portion size.
All those tasty looking photos have definitely given me a carb craving! What I’ve learned about different balances of macronutrients is how I certainly am affected by them – and carbs are so important in determining whether I feel lethargic, energetic, cravey, moody, how I sleep… and I definitely have learned not to shun them! But different strokes for different folks.
My numero uno carb source is your much loved kabocha – which I’m missing already now they’re disappearing from shops!
Oh noes! We luckily seem to always have them in stock around here… Do you have any Asian markets in your area? I know a lot of people mention having luck finding them there.
Carbs are my FAVORITE. haha I would never ever survive on a low carb thing. They’re just my favorite! Grains, veggies, all types! 🙂
I truly think back when I started blogging (a whole 6 months ago lol) I was so attracted to your blog because we have the same pallet – oats, almond butter, yogurt, kabocha… those are all my favorite things too. I think carbs get bad flack – I feel TERRIBLE when I don’t eat enough. I try to get my carbs from veggies and whole grains (not sugar, it does not bode well with me) but when I limited them, I was awful to be around… and could barely run!
Mmm….carbs. I’m definitely a believer in balancing ALL the macros, and that absolutely includes carbs. Whenever I try to go low-carb, it just ends badly for me…my digestive system hates it.
As for those granola bars…I made them for Eric to take for snacks to work, but he is definitely not the only one eating them….and I understand why you made so many batches :-p Oh, and it’s definitely the first baked good I’ve ever made with protein powder that Eric actually really likes!
Favourite grain? Probably oats. Brown rice is decent, but I find I usually prefer starchy veggies and fruit over grains (although grains are definitely not going anywhere in my diet…)
I just want to thank you for the soft and chewy protein granola bar recipe- I make it for myself with dark chocolate almond butter, and for my husband with pumpkin butter and some extra nutmeg. He goes through a batch in about two days, and it’s like Christmas every time I make them for him. It’s an awesome recipe, and we will be using it for a very long time!
Thanks so much for letting me know, Gail! I’m glad you and your husband like them 🙂
Carbs 🙂 They are just so wonderful! I love this post so much. I am “reverse dieting” aka I dieted down for a figure competition and slowed my metabolism into the ground and am now building it back up. This means very methodically I add carbohydrates back into my diet and I am finally at the point where I can include SO many and I am SO happy about that!
I’ve heard about reverse dieting, but I have to admit that I don’t know too much about the specifics. I do know that metabolisms can [thankfully] be repaired, though! Definitely saw that in my own recovery 😀
That’s all it is, a strategic way to build your metabolism with minimal weight/fat gain. Its incredible how our metabolisms can be so adaptive!
I run, so I simply have to eat a lot of carbs! I definitely crave them more over any other macro nutrient.
I still have yet to try said kabocha and almond butter combo, but that most definitely will not be happening for a while…probably not till summer. Tear. And re: rice, white rice is a huge part of Asian cultures (I only ate it every night at dinner as a kid, nbd), and yet, we’re historically some of the healthiest ethnicities. That said, after having taken a semester and a half of biochemistry, I’ve learned that too many carbs can definitely cause blood sugar spikes and lead to insulin resistance and fat storage. It’s all about moderation!
Love this post SO MUCH!!!! For a long time I would try to avoid carbs because everyone was saying they were bad for you, its the only way to say slim, etc etc the list goes on. Every single time I did this I NEVER felt satisfied, always hungry, um and so cranky !!! Lol I always ended up gaining more weight back because once I started eating carbs again it was like my body was in shock ! Anyway I now love carbs and eat them at almost every meal in some form, they complete the meal and keep me satisfied.
Favorite carb based dish..tihis is really hard butI have to say…pasta with bolognese sauce. Just. love. it. orrrrr gnocchi with some sauce.
I totally think that carbs get a bad rap when the bad rap should only be given to excessive intake of processed carbs/foods…I couldn’t run without my carbs. In fact, as soon as I started eating more sweet potatoes and focusing my diet ON CARBS, my pace, ability, stamina, endurance and recovery all increased – immediately. And sure, mood and stomach comfort were a plus for me too…I can’t even pick a favorite – love oatmeal, sweet potatoes and my favorite fruits. I do love the texture of brown rice though over white….
Eat ALL the carbs!!
I SO agree with you on everything you said – except the rice. After having rice 3 times a day for more than 3 months in the philippines, I am still sick of it. But I do believe that it is good for us.
I had my long long phase of hating carbs or at least believing that carbs are bad for me – thankfully I am over this. I admit that I love white bread – and I still feel a little guilty when I eat it, besides that, it upsets my tummy…but I just LOVE it!!
On the healthier side, it’s gf-oats, Sweet potatos and Tortillas.
Confession: I’m a big fan of fluffy white bread as well, and I actually find that my body has an easier time with it than it does with whole wheat. The crazy thing is that sprouted breads (which as supposed to be the healthiest) actually upset my stomach the most.
I am exactly the same with breakfast – oats are the best thing ever and I love it to be sweet! What is better then a fluffy bowl of oats with lashings of honey, banana, cinnamon and nut butter? That said I did have a sweet anddd savoury breakfast the other day. Scrambled eggs with some cocao peanut butter and banana covered bread – great combo. I think I love food too much… maybe that’s why I have a food blog? haha!
Anyway I really function best with a good amount of good quality carbs in my diet. If I have a salad with no carb carrrbs I will be hungry shortly after. I think a good combo of everything keeps me going well. Big old salad with bread/potatoes and a load of nuts and olive oil – good to go!
Your post sure made me hungry :). Like you, I don’t shy away from carbs, because they give me energy both in day-to-day life and in workouts. I do think that carbs have been vilified lately due to the growing realization that high doses of processed, refined sugar is harmful (which I do agree with, but there’s no reason to extend that to ALL carbs).
On the rice … I actually prefer the taste of brown rice (white rice tastes like nothing!), but I’ve been reading more about the phytates in brown rice (as you mention) and realizing that digestion and nutrient absorption is harder with brown! I first heard about it from Ben Greenfield, and it’s interesting to see that it might be true for your body, too.
I actually buy white basmati rice, which tastes all sorts of amazing. I definitely recommend checking it out if you want a more flavourful white rice.
i love carbs as well and last week all I craved was bread..with this whole30, I have not had any grain but I dont think its made any difference to my health..so carbs esp in the form of oats and rice will be back soon 🙂
Carbs rock my world!!! That is all. There really are no other words. 😉
Amen to that 😀
I cannot even tell you the amount of people that have fallen in love with those granola bars! Every time my mom stops by our place she asks if I have them in our kitchen (as she is already searching for them). 🙂
You echo my sentiments – there are so many many mornings when a bowl of oatmeal AND coffee are the only reasons I am able to drag my bones out of bed at 4am!
My fav grain is the same as yours – oats! And this freaky cold weather we have been having here in Atlanta these past couple of days has had me digging into a bowl 2 times a day!
So glad you linked up early – I have been missing out on Arman’s SIS’s due to some cray cray weekends with no wifi around so loved ready this!
I love, love, love carbs and will never give them up. Not only because I physically couldn’t but because I personally think they are necessary. Favorite carb? Brown rice (even though you’re a hater…;)) OR oats. Love overnight oats, though I don’t make them nearly as much as I should.
Everything you said about carbs is SO TRUE! I have an interesting relationship with carbs, since I don’t eat gluten. I eat A LOT of oats, so I can totally agree with you there!! 🙂 But other than that, I typically eat fruits as my carbs, and sometimes I eat quinoa as a dinner starch.
My favorite carb-based dish, hands down is also OATS! I could eat oatmeal for every meal of the day 🙂 I do love an occasional bowl of cereal too (Chex of any kind for me!).
I definitely know I should eat more carbs, since they help athletes with energy, recovery, and help the body stay full and happy as you said! 🙂
Confession: there are days where I literally -have- eaten oats for every meal. Sweet oats in the morning, savoury oats for lunch, and some kind of oat based pancakes for dinner 😆 Those are always good days.
Oh my gosh, brilliant!
What kinds of savory oats do you make? I almost always have sweet oats (almond butter/fruit), but I’ve never tried anything savory!
I don’t really follow any rhyme or reason with my savoury oats, but what I’ll usually do is toss in some frozen mixed veggies and spinach while the oats are cooking, and then top them off with a fried egg and some hummus. I also have a recipe for pizza oats that I really love — http://www.runningwithspoons.com/for-spoons/savory-pizza-oats/
That recipe looks fantastic!
You rock; thank you thank you!