1. Carbohydrates are Fuel for the Body
With the popularity of low carb diets, carbohydrates have earned a bad rap; however, carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy body. When the body needs energy, it burns carbohydrates first. There are two kinds of carbohydrates, simple--or bad--carbs and complex--or good--carbs. As a general rule, 40 to 60 percent of the calories you take in each day should come from good carbohydrate sources.
2. Going, Going, Crash and Burn
A sugar high and its consequential crash are the characteristic symptoms of the hypoglycemic effect, or the roller coaster ride of bad carbs. Simple carbohydrates are made up of mostly sugar molecules which the body burns quickly. The quick burning results in a burst of energy, or a sugar high. In response, the pancreas releases insulin to counteract the sugar, leading to the crash or feeling of lethargy and burn, or craving for more sugar. Over time, the hypoglycemic effect stresses the adrenal glands, weakens the body and can even lead to diabetes.
3. A Sweet Tooth Craves Bad Carbs
Bad carbs are simple sugars, meaning most of the things we reach for to curb our sweet tooth fall into the bad carb category. Additionally, foods which are mainly carbohydrates with little protein, fat or fiber are considered bad as they burn quickly. Sugar, honey or fruit juices without the pulp will all send you on a the hypoglycemic roller coaster.
4. It's Good to be Complex
Complex carbohydrates are the king of any healthy diet and should be your major source for calories and carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are foods which contain other nutrients as well, such as protein, fat and fiber which help to slow the process of burning, regulating blood sugar and preventing the sugar high, crash and burn. Good carbohydrates include high fiber fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.
5. When Good Goes Bad
Complex carbohydrates, when refined, become bad carbohydrates; therefore it is extremely important to pay attention to the preparation of your foods. Flour is one example that causes a lot of confusion. Whole wheat flour is essentially a complex carbohydrate that regulates blood sugar, but when refined and turned into white flour, the body no longer processes it the same way, and it becomes a bad carbohydrate. The same is true with refined sugars and fried foods. Avoiding processed, packed or fried foods is a great way to keep the good and cut the bad.
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