Good vs. Bad Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. Carbohydrates are found in plant-based foods that one consumes. There are two main types of carbohydrates; simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are also called simple sugars. They can be found in refined sugars, like the white sugar that someone puts in their cookies that they are baking or on top of the cheerios in the morning. You will also find simple sugars in more nutritious foods, such as fruit and milk. It is okay to consumer simple carbohydrates, but one should watch where they get their simple sugars from.
They should consume them in their fruit and milk, because they also contain vitamins, fiber and important nutrients like calcium, whereas your cookies or lollipop do not contain any of these important nutritional nutrients. Complex carbohydrates are also called starches. Starches include grain products, such as bread, crackers, pasta, and rice. As with simple sugars, one should watch where they receive their complex carbohydrates, because not all of them are good for the body. Refined grains, such as white flour and rice, have been processed, which removes the extra nutrients and fibers.
However, unrefined grains still contain the extra vitamins and minerals. Unrefined grains are also rich in fiber, which helps one digestive system digest food better. The fiber that is in the unrefined grains helps your body feel full, so that one is less likely to eat too much, and gain extra weight. An example of this is that a bowl of oatmeal in the morning will help fill you up, rather than a sugary candy bar that has the same amount of calories that the oatmeal has. When one consumes carbohydrates, the body breaks them down into simple sugars, which are absorbed into ones bloodstream.
As the sugar level rises in one’s body, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. Insulin is needed to move sugar from the blood into the cells, where the sugar can be used as a source of energy. This process occurs at two speeds, fast and slow. With simple sugars, the process is quicker; as a result, you will feel hungry again sooner, rather than later. When it occurs more slowly; with complex carbohydrates, one will be satisfied longer. These types of complex carbohydrates give you energy over a longer period of time. So what are some examples of good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates?
Fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grain breads, whole grain cereal and whole grain pasta, and some dairy products are all examples of good carbohydrates. Some bad carbohydrates are foods that have been refined and processed, where most of the nutritional value has been removed from the food. They are generally found in foods that have many additives, including colors, flavoring and preservatives. Also, most bad carbohydrates are found in foods that are tasteful (cookies, chips, junk food, candy), foods that are convenient.
Overall, bad carbohydrate foods include candy, baked goods with refined white flour, white pastas, and soda. If one eats too many bad carbohydrates, they will mostly likely gain weight. The calories have no nutritional value. Individuals who have a lifestyle of eating bad carbs are more at risk to developing diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Also, and individual who eats a lot of bad carbs will notice a jump in their energy level quickly after they consume the good, however, their energy level will tapper of quickly, leaving the consumer with the feeling that they need to consumer more bad carbs.
