Good Carbs Vs Bad Carbs: They Are Not The Enemy!

Putting The Misconception Aside

There is a common misconception out there that all carbohydrates make you gain weight. Let me start by saying that not all carbohydrates make you gain weight and i’ll tell you why. Carbohydrates are what the body uses as fuel whether you are performing every day tasks or after an intense workout. Over the last coupe of years the media and big corporations have created this cloud of negativity over carbohydrates. I will be the first one to say that this is nothing but a marketing campaign to all the low-carb foods we now see at the supermarket. A couple of years back I remember the same campaign started with fat and we started to see fat-free products.

Importance And Types

Carbohydrates play a critical role in replenishing our glycogen and glucose levels. This explains why some people feel fatigued when they do a low-carb or no-carb diet. The most important part of eating carbohydrates is understanding the difference between simple (bad) and complex (good) carbs. Simple carbs are made out of sugars that are quickly digested by the body and provide a short burst of energy. They provide little nutritional value and are low in fiber. Simple carb sources include:

1. White rice
2. Soft drinks
3. Candy
4. Cookies
5. All products made with white flour

On the other hand, complex carbs are rich in nutrients and fiber taking long to digest providing energy for longer periods of time. They do not spike your glysemic level meaning it will release sugar at a slower rate over a long period of time. This is the carbs source where you want most of your carbohydrates to come from. Complex carb sources include:

1. Oatmeal
2. Legumes
3. Brown rice
4. Green vegetables
5. All products made with whole grain

Timing

Now that you know the difference between simple vs complex carbs lets talk about timing. It is important to consume carbohydrates when you need the energy or you are about to use the energy. The best times to consume carbs are in the morning to start off your day and before activities including exercising. Generally you want to limit carbs late at night when you are winding down and getting ready to relax or go to bed. The reasoning behind that is that those carbs (fuel) that you just consumed will not be burned and will be stored as fat to burn later. As you can see carbs are not the enemy or the evil creature the media and big corporations want you to think. You just need to know which type of carbs to eat and when.