What the Heck are Simple Carbs?
Do you keep hearing the words Refined Carbs or Simple Carbs thrown about and wonder what they really are? You’re told to steer clear of these carbs but you haven’t a clue as to what they are? You are not alone.
Let me quickly fill you in:
Carbohydrates are necessary to your health, because every single cell in your body uses them for energy – without energy we would not be alive. Your brain, by the way, can only use carbohydrates for energy.
Simple carbohydrates (bad carbs) are more refined than the healthier complex carbs. Simple carbs are not so healthy; in fact, they are downright toxic to your health and waistline.
Complex carbohydrates (good carbs) are high-fiber foods that help stabilize or balance your blood sugar; they are nutrient dense with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, plant nutrients and fiber. All of this combined help to not only keep your blood sugar balanced, but are instrumental with weight loss and help to reduce low-level inflammation – the core cause of most illness, disease, faster aging and weight gain.
In contrast, sugar and other simple or refined carbs are virtually nutrient free – they offer calories and minimal fiber. Their ‘simple’ allows the carbohydrate to be metabolized quickly leading to blood sugar and insulin spikes. This is not a good thing. Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, are metabolized slower allowing for a slower sugar release into the blood stream.
Here are examples of Simple or Refined Carbohydrates:
- Table Sugar
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Corn Syrup
- Maple Syrup
- Honey
- Fruit Juice
- Candy
- Cake
- Bread made with white flour
- Pasta made with white flour
- All foods such as baked goods made with white flour
- Soda
- Most package processed foods.
Here are examples of Complex Carbohydrates:
- All veggies – such as spinach, lettuce, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.
- Whole grains – such as nuts and seeds, whole barley, buckwheat, quinoa, oat bran, oatmeal, wild rice, brown rice, all beans,
- Fruits (in moderation) – such as berries, apples, pears, grapefruit, oranges etc.
So there you have it, simple carbs or refined carbohydrates are a ‘NO’ to your potential optimal health and complex carbs are a huge ‘YES’ to living a long life, full of vibrant, healthful energy.
To your optimal health,
~Lori Shemek