Examples Of Carbohydrates
Examples of Carbohydrates: The Good and The Bad
When checking out different examples of carbohydrates, it is important to know that there are both good and bad carbohydrates. Because of the popularity of low-carb diets, the carbohydrate has gotten a pretty bad rap in recent years. But the fact is, good carbs are necessary parts of any healthy, balanced diet. It is the bad carbs that cause excess weight and need to be knocked out of the picture.
Examples of Carbohydrates: The Overall Picture
First let’s look at what a carbohydrate is. Essentially, a carbohydrate is a form of energy that is contained in the foods we eat. This energy is what gives us the fuel we need to function on a daily basis, and it is given in the form of calories. Everything we eat is made up of calories, which are in turn made up of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Proteins are most commonly found in meats, poultry, fish and eggs. Cheese and legumes (beans) are also good sources of protein. Fats are in many foods, and some have more fat than others. Eating too much fat will almost certainly cause a person to become overweight. Foods high in fat include butter, oil, some dairy products and even some meats.
Carbohydrates are in a number of foods, but they are highest in items like bread, rice, pasta and other types of grain. Most fruits and vegetables also contain carbs, so you can see that the carb group is made up of a number of healthy foods. It is important to keep your carb intake in balance, which is where many people go wrong. Nutritionists recommend eating our carbs, fats and proteins balanced together at meal times. Some meals, however, have altogether too many carbs.
Examples of Carbohydrates: The Bad
Although promoters of some fad diets may disagree, all carbohydrates are not bad for you. In fact, most carbs are a good and necessary part of a balanced and healthy diet. It is the bad carbs that cause the problems like obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. Bad carbs come from processed foods that have been refined, which means that the healthy nutrients and fiber have been removed to make production and transportation easier, or to give the product a longer shelf life.
Bad carbs include: most bakery products like cookies and cakes, breads and pasta made with white flour, candy, sodas and soft drinks that are not diet, any kind of processed snack food and white rice. Avoid anything processed and you should be safe from bad carbs.
Examples of Carbohydrates: The Good
As we have stated multiple times here, good carbohydrates are a mandatory part of any healthy diet. Unlike the bad carbs, good carbs are unprocessed, which means that they are left in their natural state. None of the healthy nutrients are removed, which is why they are frequently called “whole” or natural foods.
Good carbs are high in fiber, which is why they play such an important role in maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. Fiber is known to reduce the risk of some cancers, so it should be added to the diet of anyone wanting to lower their cancer risk. Good carbs also curb cravings because they help to stabilize blood sugar levels.
Good carbs include: beans, fresh whole fruits and vegetables, legumes like peas, nuts and seeds and whole grain products like breads and cereals. Look for words like all natural, organic and whole grain when seeking out the good carbs for your diet.