Carbs Are Really Good For You

Did you know that carbs are really good for you?  Carbs have gotten a pretty bad rep but it’s not their fault! They really have! Carbs need to be in our diet because they provide energy for the entire body.  They are the better energy source for our nerve cells, even those in the brain.

Carbohydrates are classified as simple and complex.  Simple carbs are known as sugars while the complex carbs are known as starch, glycogen and most fibers.  Simple carbs are white flour, white rice, white bread and sugar. Complex carbs are whole wheat flour, whole wheat breads and foods high in fiber.  Simple carbs are not as good for you as the complex carbs are.

Carbohydrate means hydrated carbon.  This atom contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.  Carbs come from plant foods such as fruits, vegetables and grains.

Why again do we need carbs?  Carbs are the best source of energy for all of our cells, including your brain.  You see, protein is another source of energy for our bodies but it is a slower process.  Just think about it like this…carbs are the fastest route to your destination versus taking the scenic route like protein does.  If you are a diabetic, then you would need more complex carbs and protein in your diet to get the energy your body needs.

Here is another reason why carbs are really good for you – if you are trying to lose weight, you won’t do it without eating carbs.  Remember the term glycogen.  You will learn more about that soon in another post.

Carbs provide 4 kilocalories of energy per gram.  Our red blood cells can only use glucose for our brain and other nerve tissues.  This is where the term “hangry” comes in.  Yes, it is a real term!  Do you get irritable, angry, tired and shaky? You waited too long to eat, so you either need sugar or another type of carb (food) to make you feel better.  I don’t recommend doing this!

So, to reiterate to you.  If you want to lose weight, then you must eat carbs.  Your body needs it for energy.  Stay tuned for more on this topic…