Understanding Carbohydrates And Why You Need Them!

There is a lot of talk out there about low carbohydrate diets and with people who talk about cutting carbohydrates out of their life, it can be hard to remember that carbohydrates are in fact good for you and important to your health! A lot of people in the media have spoken about the dangers of eating carbohydrates, but the truth of the matter is that eating carbohydrates is just as important as getting enough fiber and protein in your diet. The real key is to eat the right kind of carbohydrates in combination with other foods. The following brief review will cover why carbs are important, which ones to avoid and which ones to make a central part of your diet.

When you are looking at carbohydrates, take a moment and look at what they can do for you. Essentially, they are your body's main source of energy. They give you the energy to keep your body running and when you are looking at optimal functioning, they are essential. Carbohydrates create the only form of energy used by the brain and you will find that it is necessary to practically ever bodily function.

When your body gets carbohydrates, you will discover that it will jump start your metabolism. As your body starts burning up calories, and as you go through the carbohydrates, your body gets hungry. While some people read this as a carbohydrate craving and try to stomp it out, you need to see it as your body telling you what it needs. When you want to stabilize your metabolism and when you want to make sure that you are on track, eat several small meals a day; that will help keep you feeling healthy and happy.

Carbohydrates play an important role in your body. They help you build your muscle tissue and they help you fend off fatigue. Without carbohydrates, you'll find that your body enters a state of ketosis, where you lose weight through losing water and lean tissue. This does make your blood more acidic, and this can be dangerous if sustained over a long period of time.

When you are looking at eating carbohydrates, you will find that choosing the right carbohydrates is important. All carbohydrates are listed on a scale called the glycemic index, which is also known as the GI. On this scale, foods are rated according to how much they boost the blood sugar as compared to pure glucose. The higher the glycemic index number is, the higher the sugar spike will be. Foods that have a lower number on the glycemic index are digested more slowly and thus release the sugar more steadily; this keeps your blood sugar from sudden and dramatic activity.

If you want to eat healthily, look for carbohydrates that have a low glycemic index. Whole grains are excellent for this purpose as are fruits and vegetables like artichokes and broccoli.

Take some time and make sure that you look into carbohydrates and what they can do for you. The key to eating healthily is not to eliminate them completely but to choose which ones are the healthiest for you!

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