Battle of the Carbs - Complex vs. Simple

CARBS!!!

There is a never ending battle of whether or not Carbohydrates should be a part of our everyday eating habits; first, we need to have a better understanding of each.

Let's begin with Complex Carbohydrates....these are the foods that provide a more stable source for energy, as they also take longer to digest. They are present in foods such as breads and pasta. Our bodies take these sugar molecules and convert them into glucose, which is used for energy; as it also raises blood glucose levels for longer to produce a more lasting elevation in energy.

Now, let's discuss those Simple Carbohydrates! These are in foods such as table sugar and syrups, that is made up of shorter chains of molecules and they are quicker to digest. Simple Carbohydrates also produce a spike in blood glucose. What we also have to understand is that many fruits and vegetables contain simple carbs, but they are rich in micro nutrients.

Not all carbs are created equal, so cutting them out altogether can do a disservice to your health and weight. Instead of doing away with all carbs, turn it around for the better and focus on building your eating habits around whole grains and replace the refined grains.

A basic list of carbs to keep are:

• Brown Rice instead of White Rice
• 100% Whole Grain English Muffin instead of White
• Whole Wheat Pasta
• Eat an Orange over processed Orange Juice
• Snack - Popcorn over Potato Chip

Eating habits high in refined carbs contributes to an increased risk of atherosclerosis and other conditions such as diabetes. This is a lifestyle change and should not be taken lightly. This is just a snippet of the benefit of carbs and how they help.