The Truth About Carbs: Choosing Wisely for a Healthy Lifestyle
Home > Blog
Why do carbohydrates(carbs) get such a bad reputation?⠀⠀⠀
People often have the misconception that they can only eat a few or no carbs in their diet to loose weight, manage their diabetes or stay healthy.⠀⠀⠀
In reality, a balanced healthy meal should consist of 50-60 % of carbs. Carbs are one of three macronutrients, the building blocks of the human diet. Protein & fat are other two macronutrients.⠀⠀⠀
Understanding Carbs: How Simple Carbs Impact Your Blood Sugar and Energy
95% of digested carbs are absorbed into the bloodstream, get converted to glucose & used as an immediate source of energy by our body. Any extra carbs the body does not use or need gets stored in the liver as glycogen and muscle tissues as fat for later use.⠀
As soon as you eat simple carbs (bad carb), you see a spike in blood glucose because your body breaks them down for fuel immediately. ⠀
That’s why it is important to eliminate or decrease consumption of simple carbs. Eg: white rice, white bread , bagel.⠀ ⠀
Choose Complex Carbs: The Key to Stable Energy and Better Health
- Make a habit of eating complex carbs which are converted to glucose slowly and have a slower effect on the increase of blood glucose. Eg: Brown rice, 100% whole wheat bread.⠀
- Try to get most of your carbs from vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat free or low fat dairy rather than cookies, candies or juices. ⠀ ⠀
- Soda, juice, desert and sweets are loaded with carbohydrates. These are the main cause of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and many other chronic medical conditions.⠀
- When in doubt eat your lentils/beans, spinach ,broccoli, apples, berries, nuts.
- Always avoid cookies, candies, ice cream, muffins, corn syrup, fruit juice, coke, pepsi and all sweet drinks.⠀⠀
Take Home Points for Smarter Carb Choices:
- Pick your carbs carefully.⠀⠀
- Don’t eliminate carbs from your diet because your body needs them for immediate energy.⠀⠀
Smart Carb Picks for a Balanced Diet:
- Replace your white rice & white bread with brown rice & brown bread.
- Portion control is the key for weight management & good health.⠀
⠀
Prevent Future Health Emergencies!
Schedule a 60-minute comprehensive consultation
with our Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner to explore
how carbohydrate choices impact your health, manage
your blood sugar levels effectively, and learn strategies
to support heart health and overall wellness.
Your 60 Minutes Today Can
Save Your Life for the Future!