| Simple and Complex Carbohydrates | ||
| Most people know that there are two types of carbohydrates, simple and complex, with complex carbohydrates being the healthier choice. Carbohydrates are made up of carbon and water | ||
| molecules, hence the name. They are the basic fuel for the body and are a necessary part of our diet. However, over consumption of carbohydrates, particularly simple carbohydrates, can cause health problems and weight gain. | ||
| Simple Carbohydrates Simple carbohydrates are composed of glucose and taste sweet. When you eat sweet foods such as candy and cookies, the body digests it quickly. Glucose flows immediately into the bloodstream where it becomes available for all of the cells in the body, which convert it through a series of chemical reactions into energy, or store the unused energy as fat. Complex Carbohydrates Complex carbohydrates are usually present in the form of starch in vegetables, grains and potatoes. Like simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, but at a much slower rate. Simple carbohydrates, such as candy bars, raise blood sugar levels rapidly, causing the pancreas to release a large amount of the hormone insulin in response. This makes blood sugar levels plummet within a short period of time, which can create mood swings and fatigue. Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, digest much more slowly, allowing blood sugar levels to be more balanced. High Fiber Complex Carbohydrates High fiber complex carbohydrates are the best choice for a healthy lifestyle. They contain cellulose, a high-fiber substance that is indigestible by human beings. This helps slow down digestion and keep blood sugar levels under control. In addition, high fiber vegetables contain health-promoting phytonutrients and antioxidants. Processed foods, such as white refined flour products and fruit juices, have usually stripped away beneficial fiber and vitamins and should be eaten sparingly. The human body has not been genetically adapted to eat the huge amounts of refined carbohydrates present in the modern diet today. Excessive consumption of low fiber, refined foods causes increased insulin production which, in turn, causes some people to become insulin resistant, develop weight problems, hypertension, heart disease and even adult onset diabetes. |
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