Research says this is the best ‘cheat’ carb for you

If delicious carbs are your favourite of all the foods but you’re always torn between pasta or chips, scientists have made the decision easy for you.

RELATED: Eat pasta, lose weight – the best science news we’ve ever heard
RELATED: 'I love a creamy carbonara': Victoria's Secret model Candice Swanepoel talks cheat meals

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition looked at which side dish of the two would be more satisfying and fill you up, hopefully meaning you’d eat less after indulging in your celebration of carbs.

Participants ate a normal breakfast, then a carb-based lunch, followed by a typical dinner for five days, with each of the meals except for lunch staying the same.

At lunch, people were fed meatballs and tomato sauce, salad and some variation of potato (French fries, baked potato, mashed potato and wedges) or pasta.

After rating how full they felt after each lunch, the results showed fries were the clear winner, with those chowing down on delicious deep fried chips feeling significantly fuller than after eating any of the other carbs.

Overall, all the other potato sides had the similar effect as pasta.

So there you have it, it’s not the end of the world if you crave chips for your cheat meal – chances are it might actually help you eat less later.

Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram