Carbohydrates matter a lot. We eat them everyday, so in order to stay fit and stay healthy we have to be careful and know the difference between good and bad carbs. There are many different opinions when it comes to carbohydrates, and there are many people that think that carbohydrates are bad for you, but they don’t see the whole picture.
And the whole picture tells us that there are two types of carbs, the complex carbs on the one side, and the simple carbs on the other side. The truth is that carbs are everywhere around us, so it’s for the best to learn how to recognize the good from the bad ones, and try to stay healthy by choosing better options.
Now let’s get started.
What Are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are essentially sugars that our body converts to glucose or blood sugar, which is stored for energy. If they have high glycemic levels, then they tend to raise your blood sugar levels, and make you feel tired and hungry faster.
Bad Carbs
When we say bad carbs, we refer to the simple carbs. But why are they that bad for our health?
Well here’s the thing, simple carbohydrates are small molecules of sugar, that are digested really quickly into our body. The energy is stored as glycogen, and if they are not used immediately (by working out) they convert to fat.
Why Are The Bad That Bad?
First of all, if they are not used immediately they turn into fat. They are low in nutrients and fibers, because they are stripped from their nutrients in order to get more “consumer friendly”. They are mostly processed carbs that contain empty calories that are converted to fat, they have high glucemic levels and high blood glucose levels.
Examples Of Bad Carbs
- Soda
- Candy
- Artificial syrups
- Sugar
- White rice, white bread, and white pasta
- Instant oatmeal
- Pastries and desserts
- Fruit Juices
- Bagels
- Processed corn products
- Processed potato products
- Processed rice products
Good Carbs
Good carbs are also known as complex carbohydrates. Their chemical structure, fibers and nutrient levels, require our bodies to work harder in order to digest them, and the energy is released over a longer time.
Why Are They Good?
Good carbs are mostly in their natural state, or very close to it. Because of that, they are high in fibers and nutrients and they help you feel full with fewer calories. Also, they have low glucemic index level, and they naturally stimulate the metabolism.
Examples of Good Carbs
- Vegetables (all kinds)
- Fruit
- Oats and oatmeal
- Brown Rice
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Quinoa
- Chia
- Yams
- Lentils
- Whole Grain Breads
- Whole Grain Pitas
- Whole Grain Cereals
- Potatoes
- Whole grain pastas
- Beans
Now when you know the difference, don’t forget to share it with your friends!
What about instant steel cut oats I use these.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Quaker-Steel-Cut-Blueberries-Cranberries-Quick-3-Minute-Oatmeal-1.62-oz-8-count/41027877
I think these are fine, but still they count as processed food.
Just check for added sugar of different sweeteners, if they are in a small amount than you’re good to go :)
I was horrified to learn the instant oatmeal I love and eat every morning is considered a processed food! Are plain quick cooking oats I can microwave a better alternative? I can then control and add my own healthy sweeteners and nuts and berries……
I think they are, but ether way, you should really focus on eating raw food.
Nuts, seeds, berries…
They’re way healthier option!
If you’re on a low carb diet (<50 Carbs per day) I would be careful with fruits, brown rice. whole grain pasta and cereal. The carbs on these will ad up quickly.
Yes, I agree :)