Carbohydrates can be found in grains, fruits and vegetables. Our bodies need carbohydrates because they are an important source of energy; however, it is essential to obtain them from healthy sources.
Bad carbohydrates mainly come from refined sugar and flour which can be found in soft drinks, white bread, pastries, cookies, potato chips and packaged snack foods. These foods are high in calories but provide very little nutritional value. Once we consume these foods, our bodies transform them into glucose very quickly causing peaks in blood sugar levels.
They may provide a quick burst of energy, but it is short-lived and will ultimately leave you feeling hungry in a shorter period of time. This, in turn, causes cravings for more sugar and starch, leading to weight gain. These are the carbohydrates that need to be avoided.
Good carbohydrates are found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes. They are low in calories and fat but are high in fiber and other essential nutrients. The body transforms them into glucose more slowly, providing more steady blood sugar levels and longer lasting energy. Eating the right types of carbohydrates combined with an appropriate amount of protein will help the body burn calories properly rather than storing them as fat.
It is a common misconception that removing carbohydrates from our diets will make us healthier and slimmer. This is not true. Low carbohydrate diets do not work because they are strict and hard to follow. We crave carbohydrates because our bodies need them to function properly. While cutting carbohydrates may produce fast short term weight loss, it also causes headache, fatigue, constipation, vitamin deficiency and a number of other health problems.
Studies have shown that we need to glean about half of our daily calories from good carbohydrates. They furnish important nutrients and sustained energy and blood sugar levels without adding empty calories and fat to our diet; in addition, they promote steady, healthy, long term weight loss results.
Consuming too many of the refined sugars and starches can make you fat; on the other hand, getting carbohydrates from healthy sources like whole grains, fruits, veggies and legumes can help you lose weight and stay healthy. Rather than eating processed foods and snacks, make wise choices to give your body the energy it needs to operate properly.
