Carbohydrate facts can be a bit deceiving at times.  What are carbs and how do they affect us?  What do we need to know about carbs?   The following facts about carbs could prove helpful to you.

Sugar = Carbs 

Except for the carbohydrates like fiber that aren’t broken down into glucose before they get to the colon, all carbs end up as sugar. Starches, or complex carbohydrates, are just longer strings of sugar. The big question is how fast does sugar make it inot our bodies.  Does it cause a rapid, high rise in blood glucose, or does it break down over a longer period of time? Unfortunately, most of the carbohydrate we eat is in the first category.

Our bodies break down starch slowly.

Not true. The vast majority of the carbs in the grocery store are rapidly digested. This is because the food manufacturers have kindly begun the process for us, by grinding grains into flour, refining grains and sugar, puffing rice and making it into rice cakes, etc. Whole wheat flour is more nutritious than white flour. 

 Fruits with low sugar amounts and vegetables that are low in starch. 

We’ve always known that our best and most nutritious sources of carbohydrates are vegetables that are low in starch and fruits that are low in sugar. These foods have a ton of vitamins, fiber, & the necessary minerals and are great sources of nutrients.   

When choosing grains, eat whole intact grains

For those who can tolerate more sugar, add whole grains such as rice, barley, quinoa, bulgar, etc . Whole intact grains are broken down more slowly than if they were ground into flour. Grains consumed this way include a small amount of starch  .

By the time our food reaches our colons, the story is over

Not true. There is a whole other digestive system taking place with fermentable carbohydrates that reach the colon. The friendly bacteria there make substances which contribute greatly to our health. 

Eat plenty of fiber  Plenty of fiber is great for the body.  Fruits and vegetables provide plenty of fiber   Plenty of fiber is key to going low-carb.

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Facts on Carbohydrates

Tags: Hospitality Recreation, Whole Grains, fermentable carbohydrates, sources of carbohydrates, Fruits And Vegetables, starches

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