Will eating less refined and processed carbohydrates improve my health?

Experts say that Americans are consuming too many refined carbohydrates, meaning too much white flour and sugar. When you reduce the number of servings of refined carbohydrates and replace them with the appropriate number of servings of whole grain carbohydrates, you may experience a drop in your triglyceride level and an improvement in your HDL or “good” cholesterol level. You may also experience weight loss, specifically in your waist, which can help to reduce your risk of insulin resistance. Limiting the amount of refined carbohydrates you eat can also help to lower your blood pressure since many refined grains contain large amounts of sodium or salt in their recipes. Whole grains also support heart health and digestive health thanks to their fiber content. And whole grains are bursting with nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. A single serving size of whole grains should translate to roughly 80 calories, whether it’s a slice of bread or a portion size of pasta, rice, potatoes, other grains, and even corn or peas, which, though vegetables, are considered “bread-like.”