There’s been a lot of talk against carbohydrates lately, but they’re crucial for a well-balanced diet. Carbohydrates are macronutrients, along with proteins and fats, and are vital for your central nervous system, blood sugar levels, muscles, testosterone levels, and brain function. They’re a good source of energy and can have an enormous impact on your mood and memory. They can also help you keep living healthy. But not all carbs are created equal.
Carbohydrates come in two categories: simple and complex. Simple carbs, or bad carbs, don’t provide much energy or nutrients to your body because they are low in fiber and high in sugar. This includes foods like white bread, white rice, sodas, candy, syrups, pastries, and pasta. These foods might fill you up, but they aren’t good for your health. Your body converts them into a type of sugar called glucose, which elevates your blood sugar level, and if your body doesn’t use this glucose right away, it stores them in your cells as fat. This can make weight loss almost impossible and can contribute to diseases like diabetes, depression, low testosterone levels and cardiovascular disease.
On the other hand, complex carbs, or good carbs, give your body the essential fiber, nutrients and energy it needs to stay healthy. These foods have less sugar and take longer for your body to break them down, leaving you fuller longer. Some examples of good carbs include sweet potatoes, bananas, corn, beans, legumes and whole grains. By adding these foods to your diet, you can keep living healthy because they have been shown to reduce bad cholesterol, boost your low testosterone, decrease the symptoms of depression, increase your weight loss, and improve your memory.
Just remember, there are good carbohydrates and bad, and to have a well-rounded diet, you need to include enough to properly fuel your body. In fact, some studies have shown that not getting enough carbs is dangerous for your health, and can lead to depression, dizziness, digestive problems, low testosterone and other medical issues. So the next time you hear about a no carb diet, don’t be fooled by the hype. Instead, be aware of your food choices, eat smart, and keep living healthy.
