# @afrogirlfitness on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DWCYUBxjZrz
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/67954564-afrogirlfitness-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/72e2ab0f1e.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-03-18T19:17:11.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Afro Girl Fitness (@afrogirlfitness) — https://gondola.cc/afrogirlfitness

## Caption

I hear a lot of you, my African brothers and sisters, saying you’re cutting carbs for weight loss… and then the first thing to go is yam.
But did you know yam is actually a vegetable?

Yes, yam is a starchy root vegetable, and it’s very different from the ultra-processed carbs many people are trying to avoid. It’s packed with fibre, which supports digestion, helps regulate blood sugar, and keeps you fuller for longer. That slow release of energy means you’re less likely to overeat compared to quicker-digesting carbs like white rice or refined pasta.

So cutting yam out completely? That might not be the smartest move especially when the goal is sustainable weight loss or better health.
And let’s talk about health more broadly. Traditional foods like yam come with nutrients our bodies recognise and benefit from. Diets rich in fibre and whole foods are linked to better blood sugar control and reduced risk of chronic diseases conditions that disproportionately affect our communities.

Now, to be clear, no single food is a miracle cure. Yam alone won’t “fix” diabetes, and portion size still matters. But removing it while replacing it with highly refined carbs doesn’t make much sense.
The same goes for plantain.

Botanically, plantain is a fruit; but nutritionally and culinarily, it behaves more like a vegetable. It’s starchy, less sweet, and typically cooked before eating. Like yam, it provides fibre, vitamins, and sustained energy.
Meanwhile, we’re loading up on more and more ultra-processed carbs like pasta, white bread, convenience foods- often in the name of “cutting carbs.”

Let’s be honest: we’re eating more spaghetti than the Italians.

And while convenience is real, we need to be aware of what we’re replacing. Giving up our traditional foods isn’t just about culture, it can mean giving up key nutrients that help support long-term health.
Not all carbs are created equal. Choose better ones.

#Afrogirlfitness #didyouknow #yam #plantain

## Stats

- **Views:** 30,112
- **Likes:** 234
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 20

## Tags

yam, plantain, didyouknow, afrogirlfitness

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