Low Carb Crib - Good Carbohydrates

Getting To Know All About Good Carbohydrates

Do you know the difference between good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates? Many people don't, but we're hoping to demystify it for you here. So listen up. Grab a chair. Whatever you need to do, the answers are right here.

Good Carbohydrates vs. Bad Carbohydrates

Good carbohydrates are also known as something else.

That is right, they are known in many circles as complex carbohydrates. These are the carbohydrates that take the body longer to digest. Therefore they are better. Good carbs make you feel full longer and your body has a constant source of energy longer than it does with bad carbohydrates, which are also known as simple carbohydrates. Think of it like this: Imagine the foods you eat that are good carbohydrates turning into a chain made up of a very fibrous material, like a rope. It's harder for your body's enzymes to break this down. Think of it as trying to break a rope with a water hose.

Simple carbohydrates (also known as bad carbohydrates) are much different. Simple carbohydrates are digested quickly, and as soon as they are digested, the burst of energy you got from them is gone, and you crash. Think of simple carbs this way: The foods that you eat that are simple carbohydrates are like a chain made completely of sugar. Sugar is easily digested, so it's digested faster. Try to break a chain made of sugar with a water hose and you'll see just how quickly it dissolves.

Bad carbohydrates are foods like cakes, cookies, pies, ice cream, white bread, white pasta, candy, sodas, fruit juices that aren't 100%real fruit juice, etc. However, there are some simple carb foods that are actually healthy, like milk, grapefruit, strawberries, blackberries, apples, pears, cherries, kiwis, lemons, melons, oranges, peaches, plums and raspberries.

Some examples of good carbohydrate foods are whole wheat or whole grain breads, whole wheat pasta, oats, long grain or brown rice, potatoes (in limited amounts) and vegetables like beans, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, cabbage and sprouts.You'll notice that these foods contain a lot of fiber, which is also very good for you and can make you feel full for a long time.

If you're trying to decide which is better--a low carbohydrate diet or no carbs at all, just remember that your body needs carbs. You can have bad carbs once in a while and in small amounts, but to lose weight without damaging your body, make sure the carbohydrates you choose are good carbohydrates.