Most people who like to shed off excess pounds go on all kinds of
low-carb fad diets thinking that carbohydrates are the ones to blame for their
massive waistlines.
Well, that’s true — at least partially.
Once inside your body, carbohydrates are converted into sugar that every cell requires for energy. Needless to say, it’s very important for you to consume foods that contain carbohydrates in order to power up not only your body but also mind. Without carbohydrates, it’s for certain that you will feel weak and lethargic.
However, problems will surely be encountered if you consume more carbohydrate-rich foods than necessary, and one of them is unnecessary gaining of excess pounds.
As with anything else in life, moderation is key — having too much or too little carbohydrates is bad for you.
Going on a low-carb diet, needless to say, is a terrible idea, unless your doctor specifically instructed you to considerably limit your consumption of carbohydrate-containing foods for a particular health-related reason. But if your goal is to eliminate unwanted pounds, it’s a must for you to know about good carbs and bad carbs.
Let’s first talk about the reason why most people think that carbohydrates are evil — bad carbs!
When bad carbs is mentioned, a lot of people are talking about simple carbohydrates. Basically they are sugars that you can obtain from fruits and also some vegetables. Simple carbohydrates are referred to as such because they immediately end up in the bloodstream, thus giving you an instant dose of energy.
However, consuming a lot of foods with simple carbohydrates in them can cause a sudden increase in the levels of sugar in the blood, which is bad for people who are battling diabetes as well as anxiety.
Here’s another reason why simple carbohydrates are oftentimes referred to as bad carbs — they can also come from refined sugars. Every health-conscious person on the face of the planet knows very well that refined sugars can easily wreak havoc on the figure as well as overall health. You can find a lot of refined sugars in many different kinds of irresistible treats such as ice cream, muffins, cakes, donuts and sodas.
The trouble with the above-mentioned examples is they are practically devoid of the nutrients that the body needs.
They are nothing like apples, watermelons, cantaloupes and other healthy food sources of simple carbohydrates that also supply your body with good stuff such as antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Needless to say, it’s not a good idea for you to turn your back on some food sources of simple carbohydrates.
Let’s now turn out attention to good carbohydrates that those on low-carb diets also tend to avoid.
When people talk about good carbohydrates, they are actually thinking about complex carbohydrates. They are referred to as such because their chemical or molecular structures are more intricate than those of simple carbohydrates. As a result of such, the body needs to process them first before they end up in the bloodstream.
This is actually a good thing because complex carbohydrates provide you with a steady dose of energy throughout the day. Aside from making sure that you have sustained energy, complex carbohydrates keep your blood sugar from spiking.
It’s important to note that complex carbohydrates also commonly come from food sources that are good for you.
Some of the best sources of complex carbohydrates are whole grains. There is no denying that whole grains are good for you because they are phenomenal sources of fiber that helps keep your digestive system running like a well-oiled machine and also lowers your risk of heart disease. Oh, and they also help make those excess pounds go away!
