Carbohydrates 101 – What You Need To Know

 

Carbohydrates are part of a healthy daily diet but the wrong ones can cause you to gain weight. Get to know the right carbohydrates for a well-balanced and delicious diet.

Let consider the basics about carbs:

- Carbohydrates provide energy to your body. In fact, your brain depends completely on carbs for energy.
- Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and digested before they go into your bloodstream.
- Insulin helps the glucose enter your cells.
- Some glucose is stored in the muscles and liver to use in the future to fuel your workouts. Extra glucose is stored as fat.

There are three types of carbohydrates:

1. Simple carbohydrates break down quickly and cause blood sugar surges such as candy and soft drinks.
2. Complex carbohydrates take longer to break down such as whole grains, brown rice and bran.
3. Indigestible carbohydrates are referred to as fiber, which help cleanse your system and promote overall well-being.

The best source of carbohydrates are vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, peas, legumes and non-fat and low-fat dairy products.

Try to limit your intake of refined white flour products, fried vegetables, fruit juice and white rice. Stay away from candies, cookies, pies, cakes, jams, jelly, chips and soft drinks.

There are plenty of healthy, tasty carbohydrates to choose from that won’t pack on unwanted pounds.