Lots of people shun carbs in a bid to lose weight. The idea that carbohydrates are calorific is widespread and has left people avoiding the whole food group. But should we really be switching to brown bread instead?Express.co.ukreveals how bread affects weight loss.

Carbohydrates are a wide category, including bread, pasta, beans and potatoes.

They are one of three macronutrients found in food, the others are fat and protein.

Obviously you cant eat bread all day every day, but many have taken to cutting the foodstuff out of their diet entirely.

So what is the difference between white and brown bread?Express.co.uktakes a look.

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No, carbohydrates will not make you put on weight if you eat them in the right quantities.

Hardly any foods contain only one nutrient and most are a combination of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in varying amounts.

They are important to your health because they give you energy and reduce risk of some diseases.

Carbs are not going to make you gain weight, unless you add butter and creamy sauces to them.

Carbohydrates actually contain fewer calories gram for gram than fat, making them a useful part of maintaining a healthy weight.

There are three different types of carbohydrates in food: sugar, starch and fibre.

The type of sugars that we tend to eat too much of is called free sugars.

They are often added to food or drinks such as biscuits, chocolate, and breakfast cereals.

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You are better off sticking to naturally occurring sugars, such as those found in honey, syrups, and smoothies.

Starch is found in foods that come from plants, such as bread, rice, potatoes and pasta.

Starch is good for you because it provides a slow and steady release of energy to keep you going all day.

Fibre is another important carbohydrate, and good sources include fruit and vegetables, wholegrain bread, and wholewheat pasta.

Significantly reducing carbohydrates from your diet could potentially lead to health problems.

Carbohydrates are the bodys main source of energy, and if you dont eat them your body will use protein and fat for energy instead.

It may be hard to get enough fibre without carbs, and fibre is crucial for digestion.

However, you should opt for healthier sources of carbohydrates such as wholegrain, potatoes, vegetables, fruit and legumes.

Brown bread is a healthier choice than white bread, according to a number of studies.

The NHS website says that wholegrain, wholemeal and brown breads give us energy.

They also contain B vitamins, vitamin E, fibre, and a range of minerals.

White bread gives you some of this too, but not as much.

Brown bread, wholegrain and wholemeal are also lower in fat.

The rest is here:
Weight loss: Is brown bread good for weight loss? - Express