Do carbohydrates make you fat? How much is acceptable?

Antionette Jennings

A positive imbalance between energy intake and energy output in the form of physical activity leads to overweight and, if persistent over a period of time, to obesity. It does not really matter which kind of macro-nutrient provides the energy. Macro-nutrients cannot cause energy imbalance.  Eating/physical activity do. Carbohydrates are one of the three macro-nutrients, which supply the body with energy (fat and protein being the others). They provide 4 kcal per gram as do proteins, while fat provides 9 kcal per gram.

Note, alcohol also contributes calories.  There is now good evidence that at least 55% of our daily calories should come from carbohydrates. Provided that an appropriate balance is kept between calorie intake and expenditure, scientific studies suggest that a diet containing an optimum level of carbohydrates may help prevent body fat accumulation.

Our advice is to go for a balanced diet adequate to your needs with a high content of whole grain carbohydrates for promoting long-term health.

Read about “low carb diets”