There is a lot of confusion about carbohydrates.
To some people, carbohydrates should be avoided, specially if you want to lose weight, to others, carbohydrates is a must have in your diet if you want to live a healthier life.
But what's the truth about carbohydrates? There was a time in which diets promoted a diet very high on proteins and low on carbohydrates.
The people promoting these types of diets, thought that by eating great amounts of proteins, you should be able to lose weight and be healthy.
Nowadays, it has been proven that a diet high in proteins and low in carbs can actually do more harm than good.
You see, the problem with a diet like that, is the high intakes of proteins and the low intakes of carbohydrates.
If someone consumes large quantities of proteins, especially from animal sources, you can have liver problems in the future, you are taking calcium away from your bones and if you are getting your proteins from animal sources, your chances for heart disease increases.
So what are the benefits of carbohydrates in your diet? Doctors recommend that the intake of carbohydrates should be between 55 to 75% of your total calories.
The reason for this is that carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body.
Also because carbohydrates can only be found on plant sources, with the exception of milk, by consuming good amounts of vegetables, fruits, legumes or whole grains, you are also getting extra benefits like vitamins, antioxidants and fiber.
Lets also remember that we need to avoid certain types of carbohydrates.
What I call "bad" carbohydrates are simply products that are not whole foods and instead are refined or process.
For example if you think that by drinking 100% apple juice instead of an actual apple you are getting the same amount of nutrients, then that is not right.
The difference between drinking the juice and eating the apple, is that the apple contains fiber, vitamins and phytochemicals that the juice does not contain.
So that is why is better to always go for the whole foods.
Other examples of carbohydrates you should avoid are refined sugar, white bread, white rice, pasta, cakes and many other process foods.
Process foods not only lack the vitamins, phytochemical and antioxidants, but they also leave you unsatisfied, wanting to eat more and more, and can inject great amounts of sugar instantly into your blood, giving you sugar spikes and lows.
I hope you have found this article to be useful in your quest for a better quality of life.
To some people, carbohydrates should be avoided, specially if you want to lose weight, to others, carbohydrates is a must have in your diet if you want to live a healthier life.
But what's the truth about carbohydrates? There was a time in which diets promoted a diet very high on proteins and low on carbohydrates.
The people promoting these types of diets, thought that by eating great amounts of proteins, you should be able to lose weight and be healthy.
Nowadays, it has been proven that a diet high in proteins and low in carbs can actually do more harm than good.
You see, the problem with a diet like that, is the high intakes of proteins and the low intakes of carbohydrates.
If someone consumes large quantities of proteins, especially from animal sources, you can have liver problems in the future, you are taking calcium away from your bones and if you are getting your proteins from animal sources, your chances for heart disease increases.
So what are the benefits of carbohydrates in your diet? Doctors recommend that the intake of carbohydrates should be between 55 to 75% of your total calories.
The reason for this is that carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body.
Also because carbohydrates can only be found on plant sources, with the exception of milk, by consuming good amounts of vegetables, fruits, legumes or whole grains, you are also getting extra benefits like vitamins, antioxidants and fiber.
Lets also remember that we need to avoid certain types of carbohydrates.
What I call "bad" carbohydrates are simply products that are not whole foods and instead are refined or process.
For example if you think that by drinking 100% apple juice instead of an actual apple you are getting the same amount of nutrients, then that is not right.
The difference between drinking the juice and eating the apple, is that the apple contains fiber, vitamins and phytochemicals that the juice does not contain.
So that is why is better to always go for the whole foods.
Other examples of carbohydrates you should avoid are refined sugar, white bread, white rice, pasta, cakes and many other process foods.
Process foods not only lack the vitamins, phytochemical and antioxidants, but they also leave you unsatisfied, wanting to eat more and more, and can inject great amounts of sugar instantly into your blood, giving you sugar spikes and lows.
I hope you have found this article to be useful in your quest for a better quality of life.