Many dieters and many people misunderstand carbohydrates. It is important for those who are on a weight loss plan especially to understand how carbs work, and to realize which carbs are good and which are bad.
Two Types of Carbs
Basically there are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex.
Simple carbohydrates are found in foods such as sugar and milk and complex carbohydrates are those that are usually found in the fibers and starches of plant foods, as well as whole grains, pasta, vegetables and legumes. The body extracts a fuel called glucose, which is blood sugar, whenever you eat ANY kind of carbohydrates.
Complex Carbs vs. Simple Carbs
Complex carbs are always better than simple ones. Why? Because the complex carbohydrates are lower in fat and higher in nutritional value and overall put on less weight than the simple ones. Complex carbohydrates also have lots of healthy amounts of fiber. Fiber is good for weight loss because it’s bulky and therefore fills you up quickly, so you’ll eat less.
Simple carbs are often to referred to as empty calories, and are found in sugary snacks, desserts and other useless foods.
About 55 to 60 percent of your daily calorie intake should come from carbohydrates. Of that, only 40 percent should come from complex carbohydrates, including foods like potatoes, whole grain breads, fruits and pastas. The other 60% of carbohydrate calories can come from a variety of sources, including dairy.
Overall the best-case scenario is to limit your carbs to good carbs, such as green leafy vegetables, brown starches and fruit. Sometimes the best weight loss plan is to eat 6-8 small meals a day that include a lean protein and a carb side dish. Stay away from white starches such as white rice, go with brown rice instead.
If you need proof of the results of this kind of diet then go to any gym and ask one of those super lean fat free trainers, that’s how they eat.
Eating several small meals per day that combine lean protein and complex carbs increases metabolism and will help to keep you lean and trim.
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