02 Cutting Carbs Is the Smartest Way to Lose Weight

The term “carbs” may have become synonymous with bread and pasta but, in reality, they’re found in a variety of foods, from leafy greens to oats and lentils. “Are we seeing higher levels of obesity in the UK because we’re overeating oats and lentils? Not based on any current data,” says Ryan Andrews, who points out that body composition is “influenced by countless factors, from stress to sleep” – not just your partiality for buttery toast.

So, why the confusion? Eating carbs raises blood sugar levels, triggering the release of insulin, a hormone that controls fat storage. But this is a normal biological process and, as long as you’re feeding your body with the right amount of energy to meet its demands, there’s no reason you’ll put on extra padding.

True, some people lose fat on a low-carb plan: “Cutting back on carbs, like any other food, can put you in a calorie deficit,” says Famutimi. But it’s no magic bullet. Some of the healthiest people in the world eat plenty of carbs: only 4% of Japanese men are classed as obese, even though rice and noodles are staples.