Good Carbs VS Evil Carbs
Ready for the truth? Here it is, the good & healthy carbs and the bad & ugly of carbs.
What is the primary purpose of eating healthy carbohydrates, you ask? Good question!
Good carbs are macronutrients. They are our main source of energy. They are responsible for powering our brain, kidneys, heart muscles, and central nervous system. A lack of healthy carbs in our daily nutrition may cause headaches, fatigue, weakness, difficulty concentrating, nausea, constipation, bad breath, and various vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These symptoms can lead to all sorts of unhealthy outcomes. It’s essential we eat healthy carbohydrates with proteins and fats for the ultimate health and wellness benefits.
The word “Carbohydrates” refers to these 3 Carb Categories:
1. Sugars: Good sugars are found in whole, natural unprocessed foods. I.E.: fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Sugars are simple carbohydrates.
2. Starches: Starches are complex carbohydrates. I.E.: potatoes, whole grains, oatmeal, bean, legumes. Good, complex starches provide vitamins and minerals. Complex starches keep you fuller longer and stabilize blood sugar levels.
3. Fiber: Fiber is a blanket term that applies to any type of carbohydrate that your body can’t digest. It offers many benefits, including regulating blood sugar levels, aiding in digestion, keeping you full for longer, lowering cholesterol levels, etc. I.E.: barley, oatmeal, beans, legumes, nuts, pears, avocado.
Bad & Ugly Carbs are processed or refined, fake, “white”, artificial, toxic foods. In other words, junk for your brain and body. You may have heard these foods referred to as “empty calories.” This is because they have no nutritional value and can be toxic. These unhealthy carbs are associated with obesity, negative health conditions, spikes in blood sugar levels, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other chronic illnesses/diseases. People are fooled by the marketing methods, advertising, promotions, and the taste of processed carbs. In truth, these are evil calories that are destructive to our health.
Good Carbs are unprocessed, whole, natural, fiber-rich, vitamin-rich and provide fuel for the brain and body. Good carbs supply you with essential vitamins and minerals you need for optimal health and wellbeing. Good carbs are associated with metabolic health, lower the risk of disease, level cholesterol, and blood sugar.
Stick to these whole, healthy non-processed carbs to fuel your energy, brain, heart, kidneys & nervous system:
Vegetables: ALL, the whole colorful spectrum
Whole fruits: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, apples, etc.
Quinoa & Barley
Seeds: Flaxseed, chia seed, pumpkin seeds, etc.
Nuts: Almonds, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, etc.
Legumes: lentils, kidney beans, peas, etc.
Tubers: potatoes, sweet potatoes
Whole grains: brown rice, barley, quinoa, oatmeal