About Carbs

Found this on the Web. Good news is that my diet matches up with this pretty well. Bad news - might have to declare a restaurant other than Avanti's as my official favorite in order to escape white pasta.

What is a Carbohydrate?

Carbohydrates are sugars that provide the body with energy. Your body can break carbohydrates down quickly and efficiently.

What Are Good Carbs?

Good carbohydrate foods are those that are still in their natural state, or they are still similar to their natural state. They are foods that have not been processed or altered by people or machines.

Good carbohydrates are generally high in fiber. Foods high in fiber will give you energy over longer periods of time. They also give you a sense of feeling full. Foods that are high in fiber help to lower cholesterol levels, as well as aiding the body in toxin removal.

Good carbohydrates generally have a low glycemic index. Foods with a low glycemic index will not cause a spike in blood sugar. This is especially important for diabetics who have to constantly monitor their blood glucose levels.

Good carbohydrates are nutritious. Good carbohydrates are rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

Examples of good carbohydrate foods:

* Fruits
* Vegetables
* Beans
* Legumes
* Nuts
* Seeds
* Whole grain breads
* Whole grain cereals
* Whole grain pastas
* Some dairy products

What Are Bad Carbs?

Bad carbohydrate foods are those that have been refined and processed. These foods are not in their natural state. Most of the nutritional value has been removed from these foods. Bad carbohydrate foods are generally loaded with many additives, including colorings, flavorings and preservatives.

Most bad carbohydrate foods are usually very tasteful and are packaged for easy handling. However, they are generally considered harmful to the body because they are not easily digested and they spike an individual’s blood glucose level. Bad carbohydrate foods include candy, baked goods with refined white flour, white pastas, and sodas.

If you eat too many bad carbohydrates, you will most probably gain weight. The calories are “empty” and they have no nutritional value. Individuals who have a lifestyle of eating bad carbs are more at risk to develop diabetes, heart disease, obesity and more.

An individual who eats many bad carbs will notice a spike in their energy levels shortly after consumption. However, energy levels will generally fall off rapidly prompting the individual to consume more bad carbs.