The Truth About Fats and Carbs - Part 1

The Truth About Fats and Carbs

Dispelling myths surrounding these delicious legends

Myth #1: Carbs are “bad” and need to be eliminated from your diet completely.

While it’s true that it is ‘bad’ to eat anything in excess, carbs are an essential part of a balanced diet.  There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex.  Simple carbohydrates have earned a bad reputation because they are made up of sugar molecules and once eaten - they cause a spike in blood sugar.  Also, when simple carbs are eaten in excess, the body will continue to burn these carbs instead of tapping into the fat stores. 

…But once again, the elimination of carbs completely will have negative effects on the body as well.  Avoiding carbs completely eliminates the body’s relationship with carbs, making it difficult to control whenever they are reintroduced again.  Also, the elimination of carbs causes a nutritional imbalance lead which can lead to unnecessary cravings. 

Instead of cutting carbs from your diet completely, stick to the proper portion daily. The FDA dietary requirements recommend that a daily nutritional balance consist of 50-60% carbohydrates.

Also, look for the second, healthier version of carbohydrates – complex carbs.  Complex carbs, often referred to ass starches are high in fiber and are made up of a long chain of molecules.  A smaller portion of high-fiber carbs can help you feel full and satisfied.  Also, the complex molecular make-up of these carbs causes the body to work harder and to burn more calories when breaking down these molecules. 

Complex carbs can be found in the following foods:

·         Crackers

·         Pasta

·         Rice

·         Whole grains

·         Starchy vegetables such as corn and potatoes

Simple carbs that should be avoided when possible include white bread, rice products and pastas which have undergone a chemical process that stripes away nutrients and fiber. When this ‘stripping’ process is left to the body, it causes the body to work more efficiently, to gather essential vitamins and nutrients, and once again, to burn more calories in the break-down process – a wonderful benefit!