In food science, a carbohydrate is any food source particularly rich in starch such as cereal, breads, pastas or sugars (ie-jam, fruit, desserts, candy and juices). Carbohydrates are broken down by the liver into glucose (blood sugar) Your body uses this sugar to fuel your cells, organs and tissue. Carbs used wisely can benefit one greatly.
There are basically two types of Carbohydrates, Simple and Complex. Simple carbs are simple sugars. You’ll find most simple carbs in such things as candy and icing. You can also find them in fruits and milks. It is best to receive your daily amount of simple sugars from fruits and milks as they are also rich in vitamins, fiber and important nutrients unlike chocolates and other sweets. When you eat simple sugars (fruits) they get absorbed into the bloodstream much quicker, and when this process goes to fast you’re likely to fell hungrier much quicker than eating complex carbs.
Complex carbs, these are your starches, such as rice, pasta, crackers, breads, vegetables and potatoes. There are also some bad complex carbs. These are called refined carbs. This is one that has been stripped of some of its nutrients. These include but are not limited to white rice, white flour and bread. That said you want to stay closer to whole grain products. They have not been stripped of any nutrients thus leaving you feeling much fuller from much less food.
Carbohydrates need to be balanced well in ones daily nutrition plans. Excessive use of carbs, with most individuals leads to weight gain, if they don’t lead an active life. For most people carbohydrates should come from about 35-45% of your daily calorie intake.
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