Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are a major source of fuel for the body. They are considered sugars and are commonly classified as either simple or complex. Simple sugars are easy for the body to digest, while complex sugars take more time for the body to digest. You will often hear from dietitians and nutrionists that it's important to eat complex carbohydrates because these take longer for the body to break down and utilize and provide a more sustained source or energy. However, the USDA's
Besides the fact that you likely enjoy the taste of carbohydrates, you need sugars in your diet mostly to satisfy the energy needs of the cells in your body. Glucose is the primary source of energy in most cells, and it's produced in your body from the carbohydrates you eat. If your body does not have enough glucose to keep up with the energy demands you are placing upon it, then your body will be forced to make glucose from your muscle proteins. Daily carbohydrate intake should be at least 5 grams per kilogram of your total body weight.
There are good carbs as well as bad carbs, and you should understand the difference between the two. It's really quite simple. If the food is packaged and or processed, then it's not going to be as nutritious for your body as food that you prepare yourself.
Food that is prepared with ingredients from the earth is going to have nutrients and vitamins that feed your body and are more readily absorbed by it. So try to avoid packaged muffins, cookies, chips, and crackers and try to consume foods that grow in the ground or come from a plant or tree.
When it comes to making a healthy food selection, if you are not able to pronounce the ingredients of what you're about to eat, then it probably would not make the list for best possible food choices. Try to avoid processed foods that are loaded with all kinds of additives and preservatives (some of which have even been proven harmful).
If you find yourself in a hurry and need to eat something quickly, which may have to mean something packaged, then there are a couple of things you should look for. Read the list of ingredients printed on the package. Try finding the item that has the fewest ingredients. Next, try to find foods that are made from natural ingredients and that contain fewer preservatives.
Good choices for carbohydrates include:
Brown rice
Sweet potato
All fruits
All vegetables
Yams
Whole-wheat pasta
Brown rice pasta
Soba noodles
Beans
Lentils
Whole-wheat bread
Whole-grain bread
Whole-wheat couscous
Quinoa
