These are the Types of Carbs That Won't Make You Gain Weight

Carbohydrates have (somewhat mistakenly) been loathed by dieters for years—the starchy, sugary compounds that give our bodies energy can also pack on extra, unwanted pounds if we eat too many of them. 

But there's one type of carb that won't make you gain weight, apparently. In fact, it could even help you control and maintain your weight.

According to new research there is a class of carbs, called "resistant starch," that take longer to digest, fermenting and then turning into fatty acids that your body burns and uses as energy, TIME reports. This differs greatly from refined carbs like white bread that are absorbed by the body extremely quickly—and their calories are stored instead of used.

So which carbs are considered resistant starch? Beans, whole grains, unripe bananas, white rice (when cooked and then cooled), and pasta (when cooked and then cooled). 

When you consume resistant starch, a study published in Nutrition Journal​ found, it alters your body composition and increases satiety—which then leads to maintaining and controlling your weight.​

"After you eat a meal that's principally carbohydrate, the fact that your body can burn a greater percentage of fat as its energy source is very unusual," Paul Arciero, professor in the health and exercise sciences department of Skidmore College, said​.​ "If you can combine a resistant starch with a hardboiled egg, or whey protein, or pea protein, or chicken or Greek yogurt, that's a pretty powerful combination​." 

So, basically, healthy, wholegrain carbs are not the devil - especially when paired with protein. You probably already knew that, but it's nice to be reminded by science sometimes.