Why Are Carbohydates So Important?

Carbohydrates have put up with some condemnation over the last 10 years and is still getting imputation to this day,with some of the popular diets (which shall be left nameless) literally restricting the eating of carbs altogether, this has triggered a mass migration by millions of fad dieters to move toward low/no carb, high protein diets on the perpetual journey to overcome the bulge.
It's a fact that our bodies need to have carbohydrates as a vital means of fuel, as well as keeping our muscles and organs (e.g. kidneys, nervous system and brain) operating efficiently, and supplying much required nutrients. So when you starve the body of carbohydrates what you’re indeed doing is getting rid of a crucial energy source.
Types of carbs vary greatly and a differentiation needs to be made between alleged "good carbs" and "bad carbs" and how they affect our inner workings. Processed or refined carbs are foods that have been in some way altered by man or machine and in this process destroy a great deal of their dietary value, nutrients and natural fiber. These foods are what is known as "empty calories" and are not easily ingested by our bodies, these basic carbohydrates are converted into energy very rapidly and leave you feeling flat, lethargic and hungry and due to this fact these empty calories could have a major impact on the accumulation of surplus body-fat. These foods also can create an irregularity within our natural hormone levels and also insulin production. Bad carb foods include,products including white flour such as white bread, muffins, bagels as well as white rice, sugar, cakes, biscuits, soft drinks, alcohol and so on.
Good or complex carbohydrates on the other hand differ in the fact that they remain as near to their natural state as possible and for this reason preserve a high nutritional value. Complex carbohydrates are effectively processed by the body but break down a great deal slower and give an extended distribution of energy during the day. Complex carbohydrates include whole-grains (such as wholegrain bread and cereal) fruit and vegetables, nuts, legumes and beans.
What we're essentially seeking to achieve by eating good carbs is to present the body with a slow acting food source that carries on doing the job for hours offering continuous energy while maintaining acceptable blood sugar levels and supplying vital nutrients. The reverse of this is when we consume "bad" artificial carbohydrates our blood sugar levels head through the roof as a result of boosted glucose production and in turn cause a great deal of problems which include decreased energy, dehydration, headaches, blurry vision and general tiredness.
Needless to say common sense has a big role to play in regards to the types of foods we eat, and I strongly disagree with removing certain food groups completely and think the true key to healthy eating is finding a harmonious balance.
Perhaps the term "bad" carbs could be changed to "unhelpful" carbs, so while that serving of birthday cake or can of coke in all likelihood isn’t helping very much (when talking about weight loss) it’s probably not going to kill you. I firmly think that red meat, dairy, seafood and eggs should certainly have a place among ones diet to hold on to a nutritional balance. This has to be set inside absolute boundaries e.g. lean/no-fat cuts of meat and low/no fat dairy and certainly eaten in small amounts using wise portion control. It’s only when these kinds of unhelpful foods are eaten in excess,and for lengthy time frames without adhering to an exercise program that dangerous health and weight concerns surface.
If you practise common sense and balance within your diet there’s no reason why you cannot benefit from a total range of food types whilst still continuing a healthy way of living.
Karen Smythe, Easy Diets Reviewed
easy diets that work