| Health and diet experts, all agree that good carbs are | | | | These bad carbs release a high level of sugar in our |
| very essential for your health. 'Carbohydrate' means | | | | bodies and that to at a very fast rate. The body then |
| carbon plus water. It is an essential nutrient that | | | | works very hard to produce a high level of insulin to |
| provides your body with energy. The body is able to | | | | process all the sugar and starches that these bad |
| efficiently use carbohydrates for energy production. In | | | | carbs contain. These dramatic fluctuations of insulin |
| fact, this is what makes them stand apart from | | | | and sugar in our bodies have now been cited as one |
| proteins and fats. | | | | of the leading causes of obesity, heart disease, cancer |
| Full Of Nutrients | | | | and high cholesterol. |
| Okay, now we know that carbohydrates are not bad | | | | Low GI Value |
| for you. They give you energy and provide you with | | | | Good carbohydrates are metabolized slowly. They |
| the necessary vitamins, phytonutrients and minerals. | | | | have low GI value. So when you eat good carbs the |
| However, not all carbohydrates are the same. There is | | | | insulin and sugar levels in your body do not go haywire. |
| a major difference between good carbs and bad | | | | More and more health experts now understand the |
| carbs. | | | | benefits of good carbohydrate and more specifically |
| Good Carbohydrates | | | | low Glycemic diets. |
| So what are good carbohydrates? Good | | | | Benefits |
| carbohydrates are unprocessed carbohydrates that | | | | Health experts today argue that you should not indulge |
| are either in their natural state or very close to their | | | | in low carbohydrate dieting to get rid of fat. Diet plans |
| natural state. In other words, good carbohydrates | | | | are therefore incorporating good carbohydrates in their |
| include those carbohydrates that have been minimally | | | | eating plans. They have finally realized that eating good |
| altered by man or machine. Whole grain cereal foods, | | | | carbohydrates is a healthy way to stay fit because - |
| fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, legumes and green leafy | | | | -Since they are high in fiber, they help you stay full, |
| vegetables are all considered healthy carbs. | | | | longer. This helps you avoid overeating. Moreover, they |
| Bad Carbs | | | | lower your cholesterol levels and remove toxins from |
| Bad carbs are the refined and processed | | | | your body. |
| carbohydrate foods. A processed and refined | | | | -Since they have GI they help stabilize sugar and insulin |
| carbohydrate food means that all its natural nutrients | | | | production in your body. |
| and fiber has been removed to make it easier for | | | | -Since they offer sustained energy, they promote |
| transportation and consumption. White wheat flour, | | | | healthy weight loss and long-term weight maintenance. |
| white breads, pasta, snack foods, candies, soft drinks, | | | | -Since they have 'thermic effect,' they naturally |
| baked goods and white sugar are all bad carbs. | | | | stimulate your metabolism and help in fat loss. |
| Bad carbs are bad for your body because they have | | | | So it is clear that carbohydrates provide you with |
| high Glycemic Index (GI). GI classification of | | | | necessary nutrients that you cannot do without. Low |
| carbohydrates is based on the immediate effects of | | | | carb food plans are not only ineffective, they are also |
| carbohydrates on our blood glucose/sugar levels. | | | | not healthy. Diets that include good carbs have |
| Carbohydrates that are metabolized very fast into | | | | understood the importance of carbohydrates and that |
| glucose are said to have high GI value. | | | | is what you should be looking for. |