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Are Simple Carbs Always Bad? Are Complex Carbs Always Better?

Maybe you've heard that complex carbohydrates are better for you than simpler ones. But the debate of simple vs. complex carbs isn't as easy as it seems on the surface. For starters, some foods containing simple carbohydrates, like fruit, are healthy. And certain complex carbohydrates, like white potatoes, have acquired a pretty bad reputation.

When you eat any type of carbohydrate, simple or complex, your body breaks it down into one of the simplest sugar units, glucose, which is absorbed into your blood. The hormone insulin is then released to help move this glucose from the bloodstream into the cells, so it can be used for energy. Insulin also helps store unused glucose in your…

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Articles of Interest

Complex Carbs vs. Simple Carbs

"Carb" is not a dirty "four-letter word". What's important is eating the right carbs.. Simple carbohydrates are sugars. All simple carbohydrates are made of just one or two sugar molecules. They are the quickest source of energy, as they are very rapidly digested.

How ‘Fast Carbs’ May Undermine Your Health

Comfort foods like chips and cookies can short-circuit our biology and accelerate the onset of diabetes and heart disease.

Living for carbs RN? These are the healthy swaps you need to know about

But as with everything, the truth about carbs isn’t not black and white, and we’re here to tell you that they are not the enemy (praise be). London-based nutritionist Lily Soutter, agrees that carbs have been wrongly demonised. “There is a common misconception that carbohydrates make us fat,” she says. “But in reality, overconsumption of any food group will lead to weight gain. “In fact, carbohydrate-containing foods are our only source of fibre, and the European Food Safety Authority suggest that including fibre rich foods as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Our Love Affair with Simple Carbs

All carbohydrates are not created equal. The macronutrient carbohydrate includes simple AND complex carbohydrates. Simple carbs include everything from a white puffy baguette, pasta and white rice to pizza, cookies, muffins and cake. The standard American diet is heavy on simple carbs—which are not helpful for weight loss. Simple carbs encourage energy swings, digest more quickly and are lacking in basic nutrients.

Simple carbohydrates are part of a complex problem

Why has our population, especially that of our youth, become so overweight? That is a loaded question, one that likely has many contributing factors. One such factor is the lack of discipline parents seem to take with their children’s food choices. It is easier to provide the sweet food and beverages that your children want than it is to only allow your children to enjoy these options as special treats.

The Ascension of Cauliflower

Food companies are capitalizing on the low-carb, gluten-free trend by using vegetables like cauliflower to replace flour, rice and other simple carbs.

The Danger of Fast Carbs

Processed carbohydrates have become a staple of the American diet, and the consequences are wreaking havoc on our bodies.

What Are Simple Sugars?

Simple sugars are the most basic forms of sugar. They may be monosaccharides, meaning they contain one sugar molecule, or disaccharides, meaning they contain two sugar molecules. Your body absorbs simple sugars into the bloodstream.

You Don't Have To Go No-Carb: Instead, Think Slow Carb

David Ludwig says it's time we "just get off the roller-coaster" — the cycle of spiking blood sugar and hunger that refined carbs can cause. He says aim to replace refined carbs with whole fruits (the fiber in them slows digestion), beans, nuts, a variety of healthy fats and plenty of protein.