2015-10-27
Joybynature.com Team
Oct
27

 

Here at JoyByNature, we’ve talked about the differences between good and bad fats, and the fats that you should be consuming and gifting your body. 

Like fats, carbohydrates are also categorized into the good and the bad. You’ll be surprised to learn that some of the carbs that you eat regularly are actually extremely detrimental to your physical health. 

You will have also come across some articles putting carbs down right to the bottom, which is a little unfair, because they are an important source of energy. You simply can’t do without carbs in your diet, though you should keep a close eye on how much you eat. Carbs are a lot of calories. 

For the Indian, the main source of carbohydrates is rice or rotis, the former of which is far richer in carbs. These are the dishes that keep the body going and gives us the energy to run through the day. They are necessary. 

Then there are bad carbs, like French fries, which we all know to taste delicious, but to be extremely unhealthy. These are bad carbs which you should be avoiding. 

In this article, we’ll be looking at the nutritional value of carbs the differences between good and bad carbs and the sources of good carbs for. 

The Need For Carbs 

As we mentioned earlier, carbs are your main source of energy. A diet low on carbs will mean it will be tougher for you to plow through the day. 

Carbs also have more subtle benefits. They provide the bacteria in your stomach the nutrients they need to work the way should. They are also an important source of certain proteins and lipids, which are some of the most basic elements needed for the proper functioning of our body. 

Your body can store the energy provided by carbs, which can be used later. Carbs also play a moderate role in maintaining intestinal health and promoting healthy bowel movements. 

What are good carbs? 

So we know the importance of carbohydrates and all the wonderful things they do for our bodies. But what are these good carbs? 

Generally speaking, good carbs are those which do not raise your blood sugar levels too high after they have been consumed. Whole grains are an excellent example of a type of carb that is slowly digested and does not elevate your blood sugar level greatly. This alone should be reason enough to try ‘good’ carbs out, because high blood sugar levels are linked to a variety of illnesses, including diabetes and heart diseases. 

Good carbs are usually low in sodium and saturated fats, high in nutritional value, have nearly no  cholesterol, and offer the right amount of calories. It makes a convincing case. 

What are Bad Carbs? 

Bad carbs almost entirely mirror the effects of good carbs. They’re heavy in calories, possess some bad fats, offer obscene amounts of sodium, made from refined flour and most importantly, spike your sugar levels up quickly. And that is something you really don’t want happening, since it is a contributing factor towards a debilitating disease like diabetes. 

Sources of Good Carbs 

So, where can we find the carbs that do good for our body and not contribute towards illnesses? A few very affordable places, fortunately, and places which offer many other nutritional benefits as well. 

Whole grains are the best place to go for healthy carbs. Some examples are Oatmeal, Brown Rice, whole grain bread and Quinoa. These are all excellent breakfast choices that supply you with the energy you need for the day. 

Another good source of carbohydrates are beans. Kidney Beans, or Rajma, offer good carbs in addition to protein. 

You’re now educated on the need for good carbs in your diet and, hopefully, convinced of the evils of bad carbs. Bad carbs may taste good, but they wreak havoc upon your body, especially in the long run. Years and years of consumption of bad carbs will lead to irreversible damage, so you’ll want to get started as soon as possible.

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