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What Exactly Are Carbohydrates?
We’ve all heard the term low-carb diets, bad carbs, good carbs, and the like. But what exactly are carbohydrates? Let’s break them down into a more palpable
and easy to understand format.
Foods containing carbohydrates encompass sugars, starches, and cellulose. When
eating candy or any sugary foods, carbohydrates are then broken down in order
for them to become blood sugar.
Carbohydrates come in two forms: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates
consist of a bar of chocolate, for example. Once eaten, you develop a sugar high, right?
That is because they are processed much faster in your system. But then
after a short while, that high wears off and you seem to crave more food.
Conversely, complex carbohydrates consist of foods that are high in fiber and
contain starch. Most of these carbohydrates are processed slower than the simple
carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates consist of beans, fruits, whole grains,
vegetables, and potatoes, among others.
These complex carbohydrates are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
You won't feel hungry afterwards, due to the fact these foods are more slowly
absorbed than their counterpart.
Now, here is the key component in choosing either simple or complex
carbohydrates. Once either of these carbs is consumed, one of two things can
occur. Either you exercise, in which case the blood sugar produced from the
carbohydrates is used, or you do nothing, which would then allow the sugar to be
stored as fat. Thus, the diets which have become so popular in reducing carbs play
a significant role. Too many carbs in your system means fat storage.
It all boils down to this: carbohydrates and sugars are synonymous. The trick is
to discern which foods are digested slower than those which are not. If you are
trying to decide whether or not to go on a low-carb diet; research the
appropriate foods and exercise that will ensure the efficacy of this specific
diet plan. As with any of the food groups, proportions are key.
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