Carbohydrates???
Think about it...Do you really know what a carb is?
You can essentially view a carbohydrate as sugar or glucose, which is the body's main source of fuel. The body needs carbohydrates for energy; however, there is a dark side. There are two types of carbs to think about, the simple and the complex. Simple carbs are pictured above and are basically sugars. Your body absorbs simple carbs very quickly. The body only has so much storage for that sugar and when it's full fat production begins. Some examples of simple carbs are white bread, white rice, white pasta, as well as, those pesky sweets we have a hard time keeping our hands off. These are carbs you should try and stay away from as much as possible. Complex carbohydrates are a great source of energy for your body and what you should be reaching for more often. The body absorbs these carbs slowly and over a longer period of time creating a nice steady stream of energy. With the slow uptake of the complex carbs, it keeps the body from packing its sugar stores to the brim. Some examples of complex (good) carbs are whole grains and things made with them, fruits, and beans.
Carbs aren't all bad. You just have to choose the right ones. Try switching out the whites in your diet for browns. There are also online calculators that can tell you how many carbohydrates you should be consuming every day based on your age, height, weight and daily activity level. Check it out!
