What Are Carbohydrates

What are carbohydrates? Well, there are two types of carbohydrates--simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are comprised of simple molecules that are easily digested into the bloodstream. Some examples of simple carbs are: cakes, cookies, candy, jelly, syrup, soda, sugar, white breads, chips, and bagels.

Okay, not that we know what are carbohydrates in the simple form, lets look at complex carbohydrates, which are comprised of complex molecules that are not easily absorbed into the bloodstream and take longer to digest. Examples of complex carbs are: fruit, legumes, whole grain breads, brown rice, and vegetables. These foods are high in nutrients and fiber, which are both beneficial to our health.

Do You Know What Are Carbohydrates?

Well, hopefully you have a more thorough explanation of carbs, in terms of simple and complex. Are you still asking, what are carbohydrates? Well, if you are, let's look at how simple carbs and complex carbs affect us. Not all carbs are created equal, and the simple carb group tends to consist of many empty calories that don't provide much in the way of vitamins and minerals. They also tend to cause the blood sugar to jump, and within an hour or two of consumption, the blood sugar level plummets, leaving you feeling tired, hungry, and irritable.

Complex carbs tend to be healthy foods, and they are packed with vitamins and minerals, as well as much needed fiber. These foods tend to take longer to digest, so they leave you feeling fuller longer. With complex carbs, you don't get that spike in your blood sugar level, so you don't have to worry about crashing in an hour or two of eating. Remember to limit the foods that are made up of simple carbs, and to eat enough foods that are made of complex carbs.

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