As we have already discussed, carbohydrates represent your body’s main energy source from food. They also provide the body with dietary fiber. In a healthy diet, carbohydrates should account for approximately 40-60 percent of your total caloric intake. Most carbohydrates come from plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetable, grains, and legumes. Carbohydrates can be further broken down into simple – or as some fad diets like to call them “bad” – carbohydrates and complex – or “good” – carbohydrates. Both complex and simple carbohydrates supply glucose to your muscle
Simple carbohydrates in simple terms (no pun intended) are sugars; glucose and fructose which come from fruits and some vegetable; lactose which comes from milk; and sucrose which comes from cane sugar. Simple carbohydrates are digested quickly giving your body instant energy but will not leave you satiated long term. Many of the simple carbohydrates we eat are sugars added to processed foods like sodas, cookies, baked goods, etc.
Complex carbohydrates consist primarily of starches as well as the fiber that occurs in all plant foods. They are high in nutrient value and contain plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are processed much more slowly by your digestive system than simple carbohydrates and leave you fuller longer. Foods rich in complex carbohydrates include grains and grain products, beans, potatoes, corn, and some other vegetables.
Are you getting enough carbohydrates in your diet?
