What are Carbohydrates (Carbs)?
In it's simplest term, carbs are the main energy source for your human machine. Carbs are fuel; they make you go.
There are two basic keys to any diet.
The first is to have the right balance of carbs, fats and proteins in the proper quantities to achieve your ideal calorie intake for a given day.
The second is the timing of consuming these nutrients.
Carbohydrates have gotten a bad reputation in the media. The problem is not carbohydrates themselves, but the types of carbohydrates. There are two basic classes of carbs; simple and complex. Both simple and complex carbs are broken down into glucose and are used by the brain, muscles and organs for energy. The rate of breakdown is different and dependent on a variety of factors. One of the leading factors is the glycemic index.
The glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrates based on their immediate effect on blood glucose (blood sugar) levels.
A good rule to follow is; consume high glycemic carbs during and after exercise (when your body needs quick access to energy, the remainder of the diet should be based on low glycemic foods for steady blood sugar levels.
In it's simplest term, carbs are the main energy source for your human machine. Carbs are fuel; they make you go.
There are two basic keys to any diet.
The first is to have the right balance of carbs, fats and proteins in the proper quantities to achieve your ideal calorie intake for a given day.
The second is the timing of consuming these nutrients.
Carbohydrates have gotten a bad reputation in the media. The problem is not carbohydrates themselves, but the types of carbohydrates. There are two basic classes of carbs; simple and complex. Both simple and complex carbs are broken down into glucose and are used by the brain, muscles and organs for energy. The rate of breakdown is different and dependent on a variety of factors. One of the leading factors is the glycemic index.
The glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrates based on their immediate effect on blood glucose (blood sugar) levels.
A good rule to follow is; consume high glycemic carbs during and after exercise (when your body needs quick access to energy, the remainder of the diet should be based on low glycemic foods for steady blood sugar levels.
Visit our sponsors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Choose good carbs, not no carbs. The best sources of carbohydrates--whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans-- delivering vitamins, minerals, fiber, and more.
Choose unrefined low glycaemic index (GI) sources of carbohydrates including wholegrains and fruit, rather than the more refined and energy-dense forms such as cakes, sweets and soft drinks.
Garlic, cauliflower, onions, oats, oat bran, white button mushrooms, chick peas, and shallots are also white carbohydrates. They’re just not refined white carbohydrates.
Calorie for calorie, complex carbohydrates will fill you up more and leave you full longer then the simple carbohydrates.
Find out why whole grains are better than refined grains and how to add more whole grains to your diet
When rice is milled and polished the bran portion of the grain is removed. Like oat bran, rice bran is enjoying a reputation as a cholesterol fighter.
The process that produces brown rice removes only the outermost layer, the hull, of the rice kernel and is the least damaging to its nutritional value.