If the fight against fat were a Midwestern film, carbohydrates would be the bad cowboy in the black hat. Carbs have definitely gotten a bad rap lately, with the advent of no-carb or low-carb diets that promise a complete fat flush in a matter of days. As they say, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The real truth behind the diet fads is that carbs play a vital role keeping you feeling healthy and energized throughout the day.
There is some grain of truth to the “good carb” vs. “bad carb” debate, but don’t throw away that loaf of bread just yet. If you’re looking to gain some physical energy right away, a little bit of pasta and white bread are some instantaneous pick-me-ups. However, if you’re really looking to manage your weight, breads and oats that are high in fiber and low in processed white flour are the way to go.
Why? The fact is that all carbohydrates are broken into glucose, the natural sugar-fuel that your body needs to create energy. Carbs like white flour have very little fiber, so they are quickly processed by the body and turned into energy. The bad news is that since refined carbohydrates break down so fast, your insulin levels spike and fall just as rapidly, so you’re left feeling hungry not too long after you’ve eaten.
On the other hand, the foods that are high in fiber, such as brown rice and whole-wheat breads, take longer to be broken down in your body. This keeps your insulin levels constant throughout the day, which curbs your hunger and helps you limit your intake of empty calories. This also means…you have lots more energy! So pile the oatmeal, couscous, and brown rice on your plates to ensure that your carbs are really packing a punch.
The bottom line is: no carbohydrates = a lot less energy for your body to use. This does not mean that you should go carb-crazy, just be carb-smart. Make sure to eat foods that are rich in fiber to give your body the energy and nutrition that whole-grains provide.
There is some grain of truth to the “good carb” vs. “bad carb” debate, but don’t throw away that loaf of bread just yet. If you’re looking to gain some physical energy right away, a little bit of pasta and white bread are some instantaneous pick-me-ups. However, if you’re really looking to manage your weight, breads and oats that are high in fiber and low in processed white flour are the way to go.
Why? The fact is that all carbohydrates are broken into glucose, the natural sugar-fuel that your body needs to create energy. Carbs like white flour have very little fiber, so they are quickly processed by the body and turned into energy. The bad news is that since refined carbohydrates break down so fast, your insulin levels spike and fall just as rapidly, so you’re left feeling hungry not too long after you’ve eaten.
On the other hand, the foods that are high in fiber, such as brown rice and whole-wheat breads, take longer to be broken down in your body. This keeps your insulin levels constant throughout the day, which curbs your hunger and helps you limit your intake of empty calories. This also means…you have lots more energy! So pile the oatmeal, couscous, and brown rice on your plates to ensure that your carbs are really packing a punch.
The bottom line is: no carbohydrates = a lot less energy for your body to use. This does not mean that you should go carb-crazy, just be carb-smart. Make sure to eat foods that are rich in fiber to give your body the energy and nutrition that whole-grains provide.
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2 comments:
I think sometimes we get so fixated on our diets and are so intent on losing weight that we forget that some of the foods we label as "bad" are foods our bodies need to function properly the problem isn't the foods, it's us, it's HOW we eat these foods and the choices we make...not just carbs the fats are also under fire. We all know that a heavily fat diet isn't ideal especially that of the trans fats and the saturated fats **but** our bodies NEED some fats to function just like we NEED some carbs. The carbs give us energy for one thing but it's up to us to CHOOSE the right type carbs, do I eat an apple or do I have a honkin' slice of chocolate cake?? or if I want to be a tad less obvious, do I have that apple (any fruit, veggies and whole grain) or do I have that sandwhich made with pure white bleached flour bread? Do I have regular semolina pasta with my sauce or do I choose to use a whole wheat/grain and veggie pasta (ie whole grain+spinach or tomato basil). I think that if we use the article on how to talk to our doctor and think about some of those tips to apply to other areas of our life even to "talking" to ourselves and making sure we educate ourselves. Heck if you're reading this you've got the world's largest free library at your fingertips, just verify your information's source for reliability and you can learn anything you want to learn about!!
WHEW, I love these articles, they stimulate my brain and make me think and THAT is always a good thing.
Thanks mucho mundo
Lyndie
AMEN lyndie!! carbs are not our enemy, we are!! it's our choices that mess us up and help us to pile on the pounds. Have you ever tried using Quinoa as a whole grain? Not many people are aware of this "grain" (sometines there's discussion as to whether it's a "grain" or a "seed"). Quinoa is very high in protein and fiber and actually is a better choice as a carb than whole wheat. You can use it as a "flour" if you get the finely ground type or you can get it as grains that look much like small coucous pellets which you can use as you would rice, potatoes, coucous etc. There's just one caveat, the grain is covered with a sort of protective covering so prior to cooking it is best to soak and wash with clear water the grains (unless of course you purchase pre-washed). The flavor to me is a lot like whole wheat a sort of nutty taste to it. Hope this helps someone---I came across this grain during a visit down around "the islands" where it had been introduced by ppl from south america.
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