Wednesday: You are what you eat!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2007
Wednesday: You are what you eat!
Wed, 04-30-2008 - 11:38am

The Truth About Carbs
To eat or not to eat? With carbs, well, that is the question. Figuring out the role carbohydrates play in a healthy diet is confusing these days. All carbs aren't created equal — some are good and some are bad. Let's take a closer look at "bad carbs" and why they got that rap.

"Bad" carbs are the ones that get broken down in the body very quickly, triggering insulin release and promoting fat storage. If a food is high in bad carbs, it ranks high on the glycemic load index (GLI), scoring 15 or higher. Bad, or simple, carbs often come in the form of refined sugars and processed grains. In fact, the reason they break down so quickly in our bodies is that they have undergone chemical processes during manufacturing that are similar to the ones carried out by our digestive system, so in a way these carbs are partially digested before we even eat them. Pretty gross, huh? Bad carbs are found in packaged foods such as white bread, pasta, crackers, baked goods, and other foods that are made with white flour and contain little or no fiber.


So, what's the verdict on simple carbs? Stay away! They can sabotage you and your weight-loss and fitness goals.


Tomorrow's Tip: Retrain Yourself


Here is a little reminder on how a small healthy choice can really help!


Jillian Michaels


Grace


Be like a postage stamp.

Be like a postage stamp.  Stick to it until you get there.

Bob Proctor