Kayla Itsines makes a solid case for eating more carbs
You’d be forgiven for thinking that carbs were sinful. A food group that should be cast aside, consumed only during ‘cheat meals’ and vacays in the Italian Riviera. But Kayla Itsines wants us to eat all the bread we damn well please. And rice and pasta for that matter.
In a recent Instagram post, the 28-year-old Sweat trainer makes a case for filling our bodies with the right fuel. Which, FYI, means following a “health, balanced diet”– one free from any restrictions.
“YES, I eat pasta!! People are often surprised when they find out that I eat pasta, bread, rice and other carbs,” she captioned a snap of herself tucking into a bowl of spaghetti. “Eating a healthy, balanced diet, does NOT mean that you need to restrict yourself from eating certain foods. I love food, it's a big part of my life and it's the way that my family and I connect, we love to cook and eat together.”
@kayla_itsines
Personally, Kayla follows a Mediterranean-style diet (a nod to her Greek culture), which centres around fresh veggies, carbs, protein and healthy fats. Put simply? Everything she needs for all-day strength and energy.
“I do not recommend trying to follow ‘diet trends’ that you don't enjoy,” she continued, adding that it's not a “sustainable” way to live. “Once I tried to cut down my carbs to support Tobi (he was on a diet for a bodybuilding competition) and... it did not end well. I was craving sugar and junk food that I never usually like to eat!!”
Kayla does agree, however, that certain carbs are better for us than others.
@kayla_itsines
“Complex carbs like wholemeal bread, brown rice, quinoa or wholemeal pasta can provide your body with great nutrients and keep you fuller for longer,” she explained. “You need to find what works for YOU, but don't be afraid to include carbs as part of your diet!”
The queen of fitness has spoken.
What's your favourite thing to eat before a workout?
34 Member Comments
I do not think that carbohydrates are sinful.
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I don’t think I could ever give up carbs. Everything in moderation is good.
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I pretty much eat what I like - all in moderation. I think once you start telling yourself that you can't eat something you are setting yourself up for failure.
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No workouts here , but I love the carbs.
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I love carbs. It makes me feel happy.
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I believe I would not be able to run or do as much exercise without the assistance of carbs, and get uset when people tell me they are so bad for me
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I could never give up carbs!
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All things in moderation. :)
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Love me some carbs!!! I can't get my head around how anyone doesn't eat them!!! Ha ha!!!
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I love the look of the spag bol!
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Good to hear that they can be on the menu. Eating sensibly is the answer to maintaining a healthy diet.
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I dont need help to enjoy carbs I love them all
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Thank you, Kayla. A balanced diet includes all food groups. Also liked her comment about avoiding trends.
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I love carbs and don't have any problem including them in a well balanced diet.
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I love my carbs. Going to make gnocchi tonight for dinner.
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this is absolutely spot on
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I dont work out. :D Pretty much I eat what I want and pasta is on that list. I love pasta. Sophia Loren has always looked awesome and she always said that she owed her amazing figure to pasta.
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If I need to do physical labourous work, then on empty stomach is ideal to preform 100% optimally . Then fueling when at peace, sitting down and resting...for a while. To digest at peace.
CArbs are life! Literally! All brain cells and erythrocytes use only glucose for energy. You wanna get ill and die in longer term from random complications? The avoid carbs. Best carb sources are fruits whole as they are, root veg, whole grains, beans. Yummo!
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diets dont work.... everything in moderation, your body needs a bit of everything to be healthy unless your diagnosed with a illness or condition where you need less or more of something......
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There's a big difference between eating all the bread I damn well please & eating a balanced diet. Eating all the bread I please would throw me out of balance, nutritionally. If you work out like mad, THEN you can eat all the bread you please.
Other than that, her attitude seems well-balanced.
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I tend to exercise first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
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I've worked out that I can't survive without carbs (you won't see me going paleo that's for sure!), so I do incorporate them in my diet.
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I’m sorry to sound like a grouch, but I hate these kind of articles. With so many articles like this around it’s really no wonder there are so many people suffering from eating disorders.
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