- Joined
- Feb 17, 2004
- Messages
- 1,992
- Reaction score
- 1
Inform yourself with the straight-to-the-point, low down on carbohydrates!
<- Subway's 19 carb turkey wrap
What are carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates, pronounced (car-bo-hi-drayts) are sugars that provide the body with energy. Your body can break carbohydrates down quickly and efficiently.
Carbohydrate rich foods in their natural state are low in calories and high in fiber. Carbohydrates contain about 4 calories per gram. Fat contains about 9 calories per gram. Carbohydrates are found in breads, pastas, candy, sodas, wines, beer, fruits.
Carbohydrates are divided into 2 groups: simple and complex:
Simple carbohydrates are also called simple sugars. Simple carbohydrates include: fructose (fruit sugar), sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (milk sugar), as well as several other sugars. Simple carbohydrates are great sources of quick energy.
Complex carbohydrates include fiber and starches. They can be found in vegetables, bread, rice, oatmeal, whole grains, peas and beans. Complex carbohydrates take longer to be digested, so your body needs more time to release these carbs into your blood as glucose
What does the body use carbohydrates for?
The main function of carbohydrates is to provide your body with energy. Carbohydrates usually provide about half of your body's energy when you’re resting or performing a low-level activity.
Why do we need carbohydrates?
When carbohydrates are in our body, they are being broken down and used as energy. When the body doesn't need to use the carbohydrates for energy, it stores them into the liver and muscles. When carbohydrates are stored in your liver and muscles, it is called glycogen. You need glycogen for all of the every day things that you do since they fuel the body with energy. Conversely, when the liver and muscles cells cannot store anymore glycogen, it is turned into fat.
When your body needs a quick boost of energy, it converts glycogen into energy. When it needs a prolonged burst of energy, it converts fat to energy.
Short version: Carbs are stored when they are not used for energy-- if not used as glycogen, excess carbs turn to fat.
Never make the mistaken assumption that your body does not need carbohydrates; that is completely untrue! It is recommended that 50 to 60 percent of our daily calories come from carbohydrates, with an emphasis being placed on complex carbohydrates.
Why does cutting carbs help you lose weight?
Carbs are stored when they are not used for energy. If carbohydrates are not used as glycogen (energy fuel), the excess carbs turn to fat. Therefore, the fewer carbs that you eat (within reason) the less your body has to store as fat. Keep in mind that fat can be turned into energy if you exercise.
What are some examples of low carb meals?
1. Lemon-Pepper Chicken, Cheesy Broccoli w/ Bacon, Green Beans, iced teas or low sugar drink.
2. Fish, salad, vegetables, red grapes, lite beer.
3. Grilled chicken Caesar salad with croutons, slice of low carb bread (you toast it with garlic and butter) available at grocery stores. Diet Snapple.
4. Sausage and tomatoes omelet, milk.
What are some examples of meals that are high in carbs?
1. Raviolis, garlic bread, Coke.
2. Baked potato with cheese, rice, kool aid.
3. Fettuccini Alfredo with lots of sauce, biscuit and fruit salad. Non-lite beer.
4. Pancakes and hashbrowns.
What are carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates, pronounced (car-bo-hi-drayts) are sugars that provide the body with energy. Your body can break carbohydrates down quickly and efficiently.
Carbohydrate rich foods in their natural state are low in calories and high in fiber. Carbohydrates contain about 4 calories per gram. Fat contains about 9 calories per gram. Carbohydrates are found in breads, pastas, candy, sodas, wines, beer, fruits.
Carbohydrates are divided into 2 groups: simple and complex:
Simple carbohydrates are also called simple sugars. Simple carbohydrates include: fructose (fruit sugar), sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (milk sugar), as well as several other sugars. Simple carbohydrates are great sources of quick energy.
Complex carbohydrates include fiber and starches. They can be found in vegetables, bread, rice, oatmeal, whole grains, peas and beans. Complex carbohydrates take longer to be digested, so your body needs more time to release these carbs into your blood as glucose
What does the body use carbohydrates for?
The main function of carbohydrates is to provide your body with energy. Carbohydrates usually provide about half of your body's energy when you’re resting or performing a low-level activity.
Why do we need carbohydrates?
When carbohydrates are in our body, they are being broken down and used as energy. When the body doesn't need to use the carbohydrates for energy, it stores them into the liver and muscles. When carbohydrates are stored in your liver and muscles, it is called glycogen. You need glycogen for all of the every day things that you do since they fuel the body with energy. Conversely, when the liver and muscles cells cannot store anymore glycogen, it is turned into fat.
When your body needs a quick boost of energy, it converts glycogen into energy. When it needs a prolonged burst of energy, it converts fat to energy.
Short version: Carbs are stored when they are not used for energy-- if not used as glycogen, excess carbs turn to fat.
Never make the mistaken assumption that your body does not need carbohydrates; that is completely untrue! It is recommended that 50 to 60 percent of our daily calories come from carbohydrates, with an emphasis being placed on complex carbohydrates.
Why does cutting carbs help you lose weight?
Carbs are stored when they are not used for energy. If carbohydrates are not used as glycogen (energy fuel), the excess carbs turn to fat. Therefore, the fewer carbs that you eat (within reason) the less your body has to store as fat. Keep in mind that fat can be turned into energy if you exercise.
What are some examples of low carb meals?
1. Lemon-Pepper Chicken, Cheesy Broccoli w/ Bacon, Green Beans, iced teas or low sugar drink.
2. Fish, salad, vegetables, red grapes, lite beer.
3. Grilled chicken Caesar salad with croutons, slice of low carb bread (you toast it with garlic and butter) available at grocery stores. Diet Snapple.
4. Sausage and tomatoes omelet, milk.
What are some examples of meals that are high in carbs?
1. Raviolis, garlic bread, Coke.
2. Baked potato with cheese, rice, kool aid.
3. Fettuccini Alfredo with lots of sauce, biscuit and fruit salad. Non-lite beer.
4. Pancakes and hashbrowns.