Carbs Are Not The Enemy

Once and for all, carbs are not the enemy any more than salt is or fat. All categories of food are important to your health. While you might see banners over products that are low salt, low carbohydrates and low fat, but have high price tags, that doesn’t mean all carbs, salt or fat are unhealthy. What it does mean is that the food industry found another way to make more money, since the prices of these foods are often inflated. I’ve actually seen bags of potato chips marked gluten free and in the higher priced section because of it. Potatoes are naturally gluten free! Seriously. Throw away all the misconceptions and start learning healthier ways to eat that don’t include eliminating a certain type of food.

Vegetables are carbohydrates.

There are good carbohydrates your body requires, most of which are included as unrefined carbohydrates. These are the fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains and seeds. That leaves the bad carbohydrates, such as products that contain refined white flour–even the enriched type, sugar and white bread. These products are simple carbohydrates that can lead to a sugar high and low. Complex or non-refined carbs contain vital nutrients your body needs, some natural sugar and fiber. All these are important to good health.

Complex carbohydrates require your body to work harder.

Unlike simple carbohydrates that will boost your energy almost instantly, but often at the cost of good health, complex carbohydrates also provide energy, but you’ll get the boost all day long, not in one giant rush and crash as you might with caffeine, processed carbs or sugar products. Your body needs carbohydrates and energy to maintain metabolism. Without the accessible energy, it potentially could slow your metabolism.

The fiber in complex carbohydrates helps your digestion and regularity.

In order to digest food properly, the body requires fiber, such as the fiber in plant carbohydrates. Fiber in your diet not only keeps you regular and aids your digestion, it fills you. You’ll feel far less hungry when you add fiber to your diet. Fiber also helps level off blood sugar. Whether you’re trying to stay healthier, lose weight or both, the fiber found in complex carbs is important.

Get a good night’s sleep when you eat carbohydrates. While most people realize that turkey contains tryptophan, many don’t realize that certain complex carbohydrates also provide a great deal of it. Oatmeal, for example, is one.

Complex carbs can help you feel less stressed and more relaxed. Your entire body needs them, including your nervous system.

Fruits and vegetables, some of the best sources of carbohydrates, are the cornerstone for good health. They provide large quantities of nutrients, including phytonutrients that you can’t get any other way.

You need all categories of foods, including fats, carbs and protein. Only by selecting the best types from each of these categories can you have a healthy diet.