A few years ago, carb was considered a four-letter word. Today, diet gurus have eased up on their carb bashing and are actually encouraging us to eat the right carbs … in moderation, of course. But if only there were a way to have your cake and eat it, too—without all the guilt of excess carb consumption. Well, there may be, to a point.

First of all, you do need some carbohydrates in your diet, since they’re the preferred source of energy for your muscles and brain. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans are healthy sources of complex carbohydrates. If these types of foods were our only source of carbs, we probably wouldn’t have the obesity problem we do today. Unfortunately, most of us like to eat products made with refined sugar and flour that are loaded with empty calories, and it’s easy to overindulge in these types of carbohydrates. This can be especially dangerous if you have diabetes or glucose intolerance. Even if you’re trying to adhere to a traditional low-carb diet, there are times when you might slip up and have some bread with dinner. Could a “carb blocker” erase the consequences of your actions?

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