Carbohydrates give your body energy, which is why they are so important in the diet. Carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap, however, especially from fad diets that tell consumers to eliminate carbohydrates because they cause weight gain and inhibit weight loss. A lack of carbohydrates will zap your energy, leaving you feeling tired and sluggish.
Use
Your body uses carbohydrates as fuel to get you through your day. When you eat a snack or a meal, your body breaks these large pieces of foods into smaller particles and turns them into simple sugars, which are absorbed into your bloodstream. During digestion, your pancreas releases insulin, which helps move the sugar from your blood into cells allowing your body to use the food as energy. This process tends to happen quickly, according to KidsHealth. Depending upon the type of carbohydrate you've consumed, you may become hungry rather quickly or you can stay full and satisfied for a longer period of time.
Types
There are two types of carbs: simple and complex. Simple carbs are also known as simple sugars and are not so beneficial for you. Complex carbs are known as starches and are beneficial for you---in limited quantities. Without knowing the difference between the types of carbohydrates, it is easy to be confused as to how they give you energy and how often you should eat them.
Simple Carbohydrates
Simple carbs are found in foods such as milk, apples, grapes, peaches and various other fruits. Simple sugars are used to make refined sugars, such as table sugar, which is used to make candy such as lollipops, cookies and other sweets. There is a difference even in simple sugars. Simple sugars that occur naturally in foods such as apples are far better for you than when they are refined into table sugar. Apples, grapes, cherries and milk offer additional nutrients such as fiber, vitamins A, C and E. Refined sugars found in candies and other junk food offer little to no nutritional value.
Complex Carbohydrates
Complex carbs, or better known as starches, include grain products such as pasta, rice and bread. As with simple carbs, complex carbs can also be refined. Healthy complex carbs include whole grains, whole wheat and brown rice. When complex carbs are refined, they are enriched with various nutrients and additives and turned into white flour and white rice. The refining process removes or strips many of the heart-healthy nutrients that your body needs. Some of the fiber content is lost during the refining process, which is why whole grains typically have more fiber than enriched grains.
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