It has long been rumored that white foods are generally bad for us. We are usually directed by friends and acquaintances to eat a rainbow of colors such as green, orange, and yellow foods. But should we shun all white foods? We need to dive deeper into the topic to find out.
First, what is white food?
White foods are essentially refined carbohydrates, A.K.A “bad carbs”. They include white sugar, and white flour and the processed foods made from it like white bread, pasta, cookies, crackers and baked goods.
They might be guiltily delicious, but they are easy to overeat, and can lead to weight gain and poor blood sugar control.
Why are they bad?
When a whole grain is refined, almost all of its nutrients are stripped away, leaving behind starch. And Even though, our bodies need carbohydrate, refined carbohydrates contain very little fiber content. They are also accompanied by added salt or sugar.
What about potato?
Potatoes are nutrient-rich, well-liked, affordable, and versatile. However, they can increase blood sugar, and are often cooked in unhealthy ways (such as deep frying).
How about salt?
Our bodies need salt for correct fluid balance. Yet, excess salt can be detrimental to our health especially if we already have certain health conditions, so it is important to track our sodium intake.
Are all white foods bad?
Refined grain foods may not be good for you, but milk, yogurt, low-fat cheese, onions, garlic, cauliflower, white meat, fish, and oatmeal contain a lot of valuable nutrients. No single food or color category can provide us with all the nutrients we need to be in optimal health.
It is important to be watchful of what we eat, and focus on meals that are rich in nutrients, and avoid nutritionally empty foods.