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Does Anyone Really Know What Exactly Carbohydrates Are and How They Work?

We’ve all heard the term low-carb diets, bad carbs, good carbs and counterparts. They are huge buzz words in today's health-conscious society. But do we really know what carbohydrates are and how they work? Let’s break them down into an easy to understand and digest (no pun intended) format.

Carbohydrates are contained in many of the foods we eat each day. Foods containing carbohydrates consist of sugars, starches, and cellulose. When eating candy or any sugary foods, the carbohydrates in them are broken down in order for them to become blood sugar.

Carbohydrates come in two forms: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are digested quickly by the body. They usually contain refined sugar and less vitamins, such as a bar of chocolate. Once eaten, and because they are processed much faster in your system, you develop a sugar high, right? This is usually why we seek these foods out in the first place. After that high wears off you seem to crave more food in order to get that energy high back.

Conversely, complex carbohydrates consist of foods that are high in fiber and contain starch. The majority of these carbohydrates are processed slower than the simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates consist of beans, fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and potatoes, among others.

These complex carbohydrates are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. You seldom feel hungry after consuming complex carbohydrates due to the fact these foods are more slowly absorbed than their counterpart.

Here is the fundamental idea in choosing either simple or complex carbohydrates. Once either type of carbs is consumed, one of two things can happen. First you can exercise or burn calories, in which case the fat produced from the carbohydrates is dissipated. Or you can do nothing, which would then allow the fat to build up. Thus, the diets which have become so popular in reducing carbs play a significant role in your overall health.

In the end it all boils down to this: carbohydrates and sugars are synonymous. The key to making them work for you is to discern which foods are digested slower than others. If you are considering whether or not to go on a low-carb diet do your homework. Research the appropriate foods and exercise that will ensure the efficacy of this specific diet plan.