04/10/2026
Day 4 of 30 Days of Learning About Food
Are Carbohydrates Really Bad for You?
Somebody told you to stop eating rice, yam, garri and bread because carbohydrates are bad? Before you remove all your favourite Nigerian foods from your plate, let's talk!
Welcome to Day 4 of my 30 Days of Learning About Food with Ebtysamah Foods.
Today, we're talking about something that is part of many of our everyday meals here in Nigeria:
Carbohydrates.
Now, why do some people say carbohydrates are bad?
The truth is, carbohydrates are an important source of energy for the body. So carbohydrates themselves are not automatically bad.
Foods that contain carbohydrates include things like rice, yam, potatoes, cassava, maize, millet, oats, bread, beans, fruits and many other foods.
The important thing is the type of carbohydrate, the overall quality of your diet, and how much you are eating in relation to your individual needs.
For example, many of us eat staples like rice, yam, potatoes, garri or other forms of cassava.
You don't necessarily have to remove these foods completely to eat a balanced diet.
Instead, think about what you are eating with your carbohydrate.
For example, if you're eating rice, you can have it with beans, vegetables and a source of protein such as fish, eggs or meat.
If you're eating yam, you can combine it with a nutritious soup or stew and a source of protein.
The goal is not to look at one food and say, ‘This food is bad.’
It's better to look at your overall eating pattern.
And where possible, choosing less-refined or higher-fibre carbohydrate sources, such as whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits, can help you get more fibre and other nutrients from your diet.
So please, don't be afraid of carbohydrates.
Instead, learn how to combine your foods and build balanced meals.
And remember, I'm a Biology graduate and food business owner sharing simple food and nutrition information. I'm not a doctor or dietitian.
Tomorrow, we'll talk about something we hear a lot:
Protein. What exactly does protein do in the body, and where can we get it from?
I'll see you tomorrow for Day 5!
Follow Ebtysamah Foods for more simple food lessons, and tell me in the comments: What is your favourite carbohydrate food—rice, yam, garri, potatoes, bread or something else?
