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The Low-Down on Carbohydrates

Our bodies need carbohydrates, as they provide us with a preferred source of energy. It's a matter of knowing when, and what type of carbohydrates to consume. We urge you to drop the skepticism and keep an open mind, because you may have been one of the many mislead about the facts of carbohydrates.

Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions in the diet world is the idea that all carbohydrates are bad for you. They're not, at least not the correct type of carbohydrate, which is referred to as both "complex carbohydrates", and those found low on the glycemic index. There are tow types of carbohydrates, simple and complex. The difference between simple and complex is simple carbohydrates release a lot of energy quickly while complex carbohydrates release a sustained amount of energy over a longer period of time.

Now why are simple carbohydrates (those found high on the glycemic index) less preferable than complex carbohydrates? There are a few reasons. One is that simple carbohydrates are found mostly in processed foods, which in and of themselves are bad. But when you receive a lot of energy quickly, there is a short time frame in which you have to actually use (burn) that energy. That's why when you eat many types of junk foods, you feel energetic soon after, and then left without energy and tired. Most people however don't immediately exercise after eating junk foods. So that wasted energy isn't burned which equates to weight gain.

Complex carbohydrates release sugar (energy) into the blood slowly, which provides your body with the necessary sustained energy it needs, along with energy necessary for exercise. With this logic, we can then see when the best time would be to consume these complex carbohydrates. It only makes sense to consume carbohydrates earlier in the day around breakfast, as it is fuel for the rest of the day. It's also a good idea to eat carbohydrates an hour before you do any exercise. When your day is winding down and you know you won't be doing anything too physical, it's a good idea to stay away from carbohydrates.

Nearly half of all the calories we consume daily should come by way of carbohydrates (the good kind of carbs). Otherwise if you go the "low carb" or "no carb" route, you will be left without energy throughout the day, and who want's that?

 


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