Health and Wellness Review

Carbohydrates – What is the Real Story? By Anita Cohen

Carbohydrates, or carbs, have become the "bad guys" of food in recent years. No carb or low carb diets seem to be everywhere. But what is the real story on carbohydrates?

First of all, completely cutting out any whole food group is not a good thing. Human beings need a balanced diet. And, psychologically, being told you can't have something makes it all the more desirable.

The real story is that carbohydrates are not the evil that they have been made out to be. They are an important part of a healthy diet. They contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber and provide the body with fuel it needs for physical activity and proper organ function.

The digestive system breaks down carbohydrates and converts most of them into blood sugar, which is a source of energy for the body. This is essential to the functioning of the brain. Without carbohydrates, the brain speed is much less than on a balanced diet.

The fiber in carbohydrates passes through the body undigested. There are two types: soluble and insoluble. Both are very important.

Soluble fiber binds to fatty substances in the intestines and carries them out, lowering bad cholesterol. It also helps to keep hunger and blood sugar under control. Insoluble fiber helps to push food through the intestinal tract, which helps promote regularity. Fiber is also filling, which helps prevent overeating.

So, the real story on carbohydrates is that they are a very important part of a healthy diet. But, like any food group, there are good and bad carbohydrates. The best carbohydrates are whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans. Bad carbohydrates are found in highly processed foods, such as white bread, pastries, and sugared sodas.

The key to getting good carbohydrates is: the less processing, the better. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible. If you purchase them prepackaged, check the ingredients carefully for added sugars, fat, or salt. Good sources of whole grain are whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole grain pasta, and whole grain cereals.

Now that you know the real story about carbohydrates, the next step is to find out more about the sources of good carbohydrates and how to make them a part of your healthy diet. There is a diet plan that will not only help you with carbohydrates, but show you how to develop a whole new healthy life style. You will lose weight for good and look and feel great. To find out all about this plan, go to http://finallyadietthatworks.com/arecarbsgood.html

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