Eating a balanced diet is the best way for you to feel satisfied and full. It could also be beneficial in helping you lose weight and getting through your day without falling asleep or feeling drowsy in the afternoon. Unfortunately, finding the right foods could be incredibly challenging.
You’ve more than likely heard that carbs aren’t the best for you, but you may not know why. After all, some of them taste so incredibly good and your body does need carbs to function. The trick is finding the carbs that are best for you and balancing them with other nutrients.
Different Types of Carbs
There are three main categories of carbs: sugars, starches, and fiber. Humans need carbs for energy, and they can be turned into fat so that your body has stored energy. In essence, they provide your body with long-term energy so that it can get through the day. However, there are two ways to get these carbs, and those include whole and refined carbs.
Whole carbs are elements that occur naturally in food. They are unprocessed and contain fiber. Examples of whole carbs include vegetables, potatoes, whole grains, whole fruits, and legumes.
Refined carbs have had the fiber stripped out and have been processed. Examples of refined carbs include pastries, fruit juices, beverages that have been sweetened with sugar, white bread, white pasta, and white rice, among others.
Carbs and Your Body
When your body breaks down carbs, it turns it into simple sugars. Some foods, such as refined carbs, as well as some whole carbs, get broken down quickly and are used for quick energy. When this source has been depleted, it needs more. This means you’ll be hungry again sooner than you may have expected.
Of course, this will lead to you eating more—and you may be reaching for more carbs to put into your body. This can turn into a cycle and lead to weight gain and other health issues. To reduce hunger and negative side effects from carbs, you need to balance your diet with proteins and fats.
You also need to ensure that you are eating whole carbs that take longer to process. These include whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, quinoa, and brown rice, among others. Eating fruits and vegetables will also be incredibly beneficial.
For more information on carbs or to find the foods that will be best for you and your health, get in contact with Sloan Natural Health Center. They can answer any questions you might have.