Carve Out Carbs - Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates

In recent years, carbohydrates have taken a beating. But before you decide to go on a low- to no-carb diet, you need to learn more about it first.

The Importance of Carbohydrates

If you have a balanced diet, chances are you don't have a weight problem. But a balanced diet includes fats, proteins, and yes--carbohydrates. You just have to learn what kinds of fats and proteins to eat for good health, and how much. Here's how much you should have from each food group:

The American Heart Association recommends limiting total calories from fat to less than 30 percent. That's 40 grams a day on a 1,200 calorie diet, 50 grams on a 1,500 calorie diet, 60 grams on a 1,800 calorie diet and 70 grams on a 2,000 calorie diet.
For most people, 50-75 grams of protein is appropriate. Of course, this depends on your weight and how many calories you eat on a daily basis. It also depends on if you are a man or a woman, and if you are involved in weight training. You can get 75 grams of protein by eating 6 ounces of chicken, fish or beef at one meal, a glass of milk at breakfast and three servings of vegetables during those meals.
For good health, you should have 100-150 grams of carbohydrates a day to prevent fatigue and dangerous fluid imbalances.

Most people on a low carb diet think they can achieve great weight loss by eating bacon, eggs, and steak, but a healthier way to achieve it is to eliminate the "bad" carbohydrates. That is, cut out the simple carbs found in many desserts, white bread, regular pasta and white rice and eat complex carbohydrates instead. For example, instead of white bread, use whole grain or whole wheat. Instead of regular pasta, eat whole wheat pasta (you will hardly notice the difference). Instead of white rice, eat brown or long grain rice. Instead of sugary desserts or snacks like cake, pie, candy, etc. reach for fruit instead. And instead of potato chips or crackers, eat raw chopped vegetables.

Cutting carbs from your diet completely can be a mistake. Besides, what kind of healthy diet makes you cut food groups (fruits and vegetables, grains) that provide you with much-needed fiber? Without enough fiber, you will be constipated. In addition, your brain will not function clearly, you will be tired, you'll have bad breath from the ketosis that is a result of a low carb diet and you will be grouchy because your brain will stop producing serotonin, a "feel good" hormone that makes you happy. Opt for healthy carbs to be be a happy person!

Top Results for "Carbohydrates":

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates: This module provides an introduction to the concept of carbohydrates as a macronutrient. The biochemical structure of simple sugars and ...
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Carbohydrates are a component of food. Find out why you need them in this article for kids.
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Carbohydrates are the most abundant class of organic compounds found in living organisms. They originate as products of photosynthesis, an endothermic ...
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car·bo·hy·drate ( ) n. Any of a group of organic compounds that includes sugars, starches, celluloses, and gums and serves as a major energy source in.
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MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Carbohydrates
The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous system. Your liver breaks down carbohydrates ...
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Carbohydrates have the general molecular formula CH2O, and thus were once thought to represent "hydrated carbon". However, the arrangement of atoms in ...
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MedlinePlus: Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are one of the main types of food. Your liver breaks down carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar). Your body uses this sugar for energy for ...
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Carbohydrates: Nutrition Source, Harvard School of Public Health
Harvard School of Public Health and Nutrition Research covers latest information on fiber, fats, calcium, carbohydrates, eggs, nutritional pyramids, ...
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Carbohydrate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carbohydrates or saccharides (Greek σάκχαρον meaning "sugar") are simple molecules that are straight-chain aldehydes or ketones with many hydroxyl groups ...
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