Note: this post has been updated in March 2022.
Carbohydrates are sources of energy and one of the six Essential Nutrients that are necessary for energy and materials for life building processes in the human body. Thus, the term essential nutrients.
Carbohydrates
There is a lot of confusion about carbohydrates, but you should remember it is more important to eat healthy food carbohydrates rather than being on a diet restricting carbohydrates or counting carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are found in a wide array of both healthy and unhealthy foods—bread, beans, milk, popcorn, potatoes, cookies, spaghetti, soft drinks, corn, and cherry pie. They also come in a variety of forms. The most common and abundant forms are sugars, fibers, and starches.
Foods high in carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet. Carbohydrates provide the body with glucose, which is converted to energy used to support bodily functions and physical activity. But carbohydrate quality is important; some types of carbohydrate-rich foods are better than others:
The healthiest sources of carbohydrates—unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans—promote good health by delivering vitamins, minerals, fiber, and a host of important phytonutrients.
Unhealthier sources of carbohydrates include white bread, pastries, sodas, and other highly processed or refined foods. These items contain easily digested carbohydrates that may contribute to weight gain, interfere with weight loss, and promote diabetes and heart disease. Via – What are carbohydrates?
“Carbohydrates are macronutrients, meaning they are one of the three main ways the body obtains energy or calories,” said Paige Smathers, a Utah-based registered dietitian. The American Diabetes Association notes that carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy. They are called carbohydrates because, at the chemical level, they contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Types of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the major source of energy for your body to perform its daily physical tasks every day. There are two major types of carbohydrates which are discussed below.
Simple carbohydrates contain simple sugar that is found in foods like sugar, syrups, candy, and soda. Simple carbohydrates raise blood glucose level and don’t provide any essential nutrients. Which over time will lead to many diverse types of health problems? Some simple carbohydrate food examples: sugar, syrups, candy, soda, pastries, desserts etc.
Complex carbohydrates are mostly starches and dietary fibers. These carbs have a complex chemical structure that slows down the quick rise of blood glucose level. Complex carbohydrates are rich in nutrients like vitamins and minerals. These are important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Some complex carbohydrates examples: apple, bagels, macaroni, strawberries, spinach etc.
The truth about carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are much maligned in the health world. There are many books and articles that encourage you to cut out your carbs. The claim is carbs are bad for you and will make you fat. That is not true! Carbs are necessary for us to live a healthy lifestyle. Look at the following posts on carbs. Not all carbs are created equal and Good Fat vs Bad Fat on a Plant-Based Diet.
Summary and Conclusion
Science confirms that a diet rich in whole, plant-based foods can help you live to the fullest and still get adequate protein. In fact, a growing number of physicians advocate a completely plant-based diet for many of their patients who suffer from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Check out these great sources:
Plant-Based Nutrition, 2E (Idiot’s Guides),
Nutrition Facts: The Truth About Food and
Forks over Knifes, a simple plan that focuses on hearty comfort foods and does not involve portion control or worrying about obtaining single nutrients like protein and calcium.
Did you enjoy reading this post?
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. If you did, please use the buttons below to share with family and friends you think may benefit from the information in the post.
Express your opinion
If I can answer any questions or if you have an opinion that you would like to express, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
If you enjoy this article, please use the buttons to share with family and friends that might benefit from this information.
0 comments