Carbs - good vs .bad

Carbohydrates, often referred to as “carbs,” are your body's primary energy source. Carbs should never be avoided, but it is important to understand that not all carbs are alike.

Carbohydrates can be either simple (nicknamed "bad") or

complex (nicknamed "good") based on their chemical makeup and what your body does with them. Complex carbohydrates, like whole grains and legumes, contain longer chains of sugar molecules; these usually take more time for the body to break down and use. This, in turn, provides you with a more even amount of energy.

Simple carbohydrates are composed of basic sugars with little real value for your body. The higher in sugar and lower in fiber, the worse the carbohydrate is for you. Fruits and vegetables are actually simple carbohydrates — still composed of basic sugars, although they are drastically different from other foods in the category, like cookies and cakes. The fiber in fruits and vegetables changes the way that the body processes their sugars and slows down their digestion. The most important simple carbohydrates to limit in your diet include:

·      Candy

·      Artificial syrups

·      Sugar

·      White rice, white bread, and white pasta

·      Potatoes (which are technically a complex carb, but act more like simple carbs in the body)

·      Pastries and desserts

You can enjoy simple carbohydrates on occasion , you just don't want them to be your primary sources of carbs. And within the simple carb category, there are better choices — a baked potato, white rice, and regular pasta — than others — chips, cakes, pies, and cookies.