SuperLowCarb.com - Good Carbohydrates

Good Carbohydrates: Understand The Difference

By now, we've all seen the evidence that low carb diets work. But is it really worth what you put your body through? Why not turn to good carbohydrates (also referred to as complex carbohydrates) instead? A good carbohydrate diet doesn't leave you feeling deprived of carbs, but you're still losing weight.

Why Good Carbohydrates are So Good

For the last 8-10 years, the public's belief has been that all carbohydrates are bad for you and will make you gain weight. But fruits and vegetables are carbohydrates, and you don't usually see overweight vegetarians. Why is that? Most fruits and vegetables have a high carb count. It's because they're good carbohydrates, not bad.

Our bodies need 130 grams of carbs a day, and carbs are one of the only nutrients to make it to your brain. So if one person gets all 130 grams of carbs each day from fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods (good carbohydrates) and another gets all 130 from foods made with white flour and refined sugar (bad carbohydrates) which one do you think will have a weight problem? Probably the one who ate the bad carbohydrates. Do you know why that is? Because good carbohydrate diets take longer to digest; therefore, you feel full longer and eat less. In addition, these usually have a lot of fiber, which contributes to what we just explained and keeps you regular.

For a more scientific explanation, picture sugar molecules as links in a chain. A bad carboyhdrate (also known as a simple carbohydrate) is 1-3 links that are linked together in a single molecule. A good carbohydrate is hundreds or thousands of these links hooked together in a single molecule. It's easier for your body to break down a few links than it is for it to break down hundreds, which is why you feel full longer.

To discern between the two, remember that fruits, vegetables and whole grains are good carbohydrates and white bread, regular pasta, white rice and any sugary snacks or desserts make up bad carbohydrates. And remember--eating too many fruits and vegetables isn't what made you gain weight.