What are Carbohydrates?

What are Carbohydrates? Carbohydrates are the body's prime energy source. They help in the proper function of the brain as well as the body's muscles by transforming sugar into the energy your body truly needs. To learn more about carbohydrates, take time to know the difference between the two types of carbohydrates: the simple and the complex carbohydrates.

What is the Difference Between the Two?

Simple carbohydrates or the monosaccharides are made up of only one kind of sugar. It could either be fructose (fruit sugar), glucose (corn sugar), sucrose (table sugar), lactose, and maltose. This is the type of carbohydrate that is quickly turned into glucose after consumption, so the bloodstream can absorb it and transport it all over the body. Because of its fast transformation, its effect is a sudden boost of energy to your body.

On the other hand, complex carbohydrates or polysaccharides are composed of different types of sugar. These carbohydrates normally take slower digestion that also affects the glucose transformation. As such, the body's energy lasts longer unlike that of simple carbohydrates.

So, which of these two types of carbohydrates is good and bad for your health? The simple carbohydrates are considered bad when it comes to health and diet. Too much intake of these is harmful for the body. Since they are purely of made of one sugar, they increase the blood sugar level more quickly and are less controlled. These could turn into high blood sugar level, which may lead to diabetes.

On the contrary, the complex carbohydrates are considered good for the body. They have other nutrients that include the dietary fiber that help you have a faster metabolism. Not only that, complex carbohydrates also have lower amounts of fats.

So if you're in a weight loss diet and have already set a daily eating scheme, you shouldn't cross out food with carbohydrates from your list. All you need to do is distinguish which ones are better for your body. For instance, instead of eating white rice, you can switch to brown rice. Brown rice has a higher proportion of complex carbohydrates rather than the simple ones.

To help you make up your mind, here's a list of food that you can eat:

• white and sweet potatoes
• brown rice
• whole grain cereals
• wheat bread

They are rich in carbohydrates but still can help you stay fit and healthy. Moreover, all these have slower carbohydrates digestion and glucose transformation, so not everything is used up instantly.

Carbohydrates should definitely be a part of your healthy diet, so you'll have the right amount of energy to accomplish most of your daily tasks. Just keep these reminders in mind in choosing a healthier and more fulfilling diet:

• Don't rely too much on your taste buds. Not everything that tastes good is considered healthy.
• Check the other nutrients you can get. Complex carbohydrates provide other nutrients your body needs.
• Avoid those that are rich in calories but don't contain any essential body nutrients.

With these, you'll now know how to lose weight the proper way, which includes a healthy diet with carbohydrates.