What are carbs?
Plant-based carbohydrates are rich in healthy nutrients of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytochemicals that have health benefits.
Carbo comes from carbon, hydrate means with water. So carbohydrates are molecules of carbon with water.
Carbohydrates are all made from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They are created by plants joining carbon dioxide and water to create different sizes and shapes.
The different sizes and shapes of these molecules are what makes different molecules taste different to us.
Different plants create varying amounts of different carbohydrate molecules that make the taste of each plant different.
Carbohydrates can be simple or complex.
- Simple carbs arrange these elements into a straight line. They digest quickly and can cause blood sugar spikes. So you get the sugar high.
- Complex carbs arrange these elements into a more complicated structure, like a tree branch. They digest slowly and release nutrients and energy into the blood system slowly, providing a more constant source of energy.
The body requires energy for thinking, walking, breathing... everything.
The body has three energy sources...
- Carbohydrates One gram provides four calories of energy.
- Protein Like carbohydrates, one gram provides four calories of energy.
- Fat One gram provides nine calories of energy.
There are two types of carbohydrates...
Unprocessed fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts contain both digestible and undigestible carbs.
- Digestible carbs Digestible carbs are starches and can be absorbed and turned into energy by the human body.
- Indigestible carbs Indigestible carbs are the fiber that cannot be used for energy, however can help to balance blood sugar and reduce risk for many diseases (including cancer).
The problem with refining carbohydrates...
Refining carbohydrates removes the indigestible parts of plant material. Refining reduces or complete strips food of healthy nutrients and fiber. They become empty calories.
Refinement also raises the glycemic load on the body, meaning you will experience sugar spikes and trigger an insulin response, putting you on the road to diabetes or hypoglycemia. High levels of starch can also increase weight gain.
Refined carbs tend to be cheap ingredients added prepared foods to keep them from spoiling over long periods of time. Thus the products can sit on shelves without going bad.
Refined foods can look and taste good, but they hide the fact that they lack nutrients needed by the body to function.
Leave your carbohydrates whole...
Unrefined carbs have all of their natural nutrients and tend to have a high amount of fiber. Fiber slows down the movement of food through the stomach and intestinal tract as well as the movement of the starch sugars into the blood stream.
