What is the Difference Between Good Carbs and Bad Carbs?
You want to lose weight, you want to be healthy, and you want to make the necessary changes to your diet so that you can achieve the best results. Some diets say you have to eliminate carbs all together, others say some carbs are okay, but others are not. So which is it? What is the difference between good carbs and bad carbs?
There are major differences among foods in the world of carbs. In order to help determine what carbs are good and what carbs are bad, you have to break foods down a bit. Rather making large generalizations such as “bread is bad”, it is necessary to understand that not all bread is the same. There are huge differences between white bread, and whole grain bread. There are also major differences between French fries, and baked potatoes. Also, foods such as carrots, beans, tomatoes, spinach, and pastas are all carbohydrates. Yet these foods are certainly not bad and should be consumed as part of a healthy diet.
So, how can you tell which carbs you should be eating and which carbs you should avoid? The answer is fairly simple: “good carbs” are not processed or refined and contain large amounts of fiber. Whole grain breads, cereals, pastas, and rices, as well as fruits, vegetables, beans, and legumes are all good carbs. White breads, white sugar, regular pastas, soft drinks, and sweets are usually classified as bad carbs.
When you are trying to lose weight, it is recommended that you avoid the processed and refined carbs, and substitute these items with good carb choices. It is important to understand that all calories count the same when you are trying to lose or maintain your weight. You need to make wise choices and avoid adding tons of extra empty calories that provide no nutritional benefits.
It is important to note that carbohydrates provide many necessary benefits to your diet. Recent studies have concluded that in order to help reduce the risk for certain types of chronic diseases, the average adult should consume forty-five to sixty-five percent of their total daily calories from carbs. Ten to thirty-five percent of the remaining calories should be from protein, and twenty to thirty five percent should be from fat.
Men under the age of fifty years old should be consuming about thirty-eight grams of fiber per day, and women under the age of fifty should be consuming about twenty-five grams of fiber per day. The best way to get fiber is to eat quality carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. From lowering the risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, to promoting better digestive function, carbs are most definitely an important element to the daily diet.
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