What if I say, “Functional Foods!” – boring and difficult to understand, right? Not at all! It’s the perfect term to describe why the good carbohydrates of fruits, vegetables, and unrefined grains are good. Simply put, functional foods give you more bang for your buck. They have the ability to give you health benefits beyond nutrients themselves.  For example on my box of Quaker Oats is says, “Oatmeal can reduce cholesterol.” Oatmeal, like all functional foods, has a health claim attached.

Plant based naturally occurring foods (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains), with all their parts, (not refined or processed at all) contain fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals. These “carb” containing foods reduce the risk of deadly diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers. It is scary to think someone might cut out any food with “carbs” especially those with death fighting benefits, then turn around and eat the foods that increase the risk of serious illness.

Now, when you hear, “carbs are bad”, you know better. Don’t sell yourself short; the health benefits of good carbohydrates containing fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals mentioned above are invaluable.  Now, what are those big words and why do they matter?