| The Low Carb Craze. Diets low in | | | | carbohydrates, our bodies make better use of |
| carbohydrates have been very popular for the | | | | more complex carbohydrates to function |
| last decade or so. Proponents of these diet | | | | properly. Simple carbohydrates include |
| plans seem convinced that significantly | | | | foods like sugar, honey, fruit juice, milk |
| reducing a persons carbohydrate intake is the | | | | and candy. Complex carbohydrates are |
| key to permanent weight loss. Various low | | | | comprised of foods such as grains, bread, |
| carb based diets continue to appear on the | | | | potatoes, rice and beans. |
| best seller lists and the food industry has | | | | |
| responded by offering many carbohydrate | | | | Healthy Ways to Cut Carbohydrates |
| reduced products to meet the demand for low | | | | |
| carb food options. So, do low carbohydrate | | | | While completely removing carbohydrates from |
| diets really work? Before deciding whether | | | | your diet will negatively affect your health, |
| or not to pursue a low carb diet, it is good | | | | cutting back on certain types of |
| to get an understanding of how carbohydrate | | | | carbohydrates can help you to lose weight. |
| rich foods are processed by the body. | | | | Because carbohydrates can metabolize into |
| | | | fat, reducing the percentage of carbs in your |
| How Carbohydrates Figure Into Nutrition | | | | diet will have a beneficial effect on your |
| | | | waistline. High carb diets generally consist |
| Along with protein and fat, carbohydrates are | | | | of a caloric intake that is between 50% - 60% |
| one of the three food groups classified as | | | | from carbs, while low carb diets trim that |
| nutrients for your body. A healthy diet | | | | percentage to 30% - 40%. Some ways to |
| should be composed of all three nutrients, | | | | maintain a healthy diet while reducing the |
| although not in equal amounts. | | | | overall carbohydrate intake include: |
| Carbohydrates can be described as ant type of | | | | |
| food that comes from a plant, plus milk and | | | | Avoid Processed Foods. Natural grains and |
| yogurt. Carbs provide the building blocks | | | | organic vegetables provide more nutritional |
| for energy and are frequently used by | | | | value than processed carbohydrates. |
| athletes to increase their endurance and | | | | |
| stamina while training. There are two main | | | | Remember that Milk and Yogurt are Carbs. |
| types of carbohydrates, simple and complex. | | | | While milk and yogurt also contain fats, |
| Simple carbs are received from natural sugars | | | | there is also a carbohydrate content in dairy |
| or glucose, while complex carbs are full of | | | | products. Do not forget to count dairy based |
| fiber and starch. While the body needs | | | | foods in your overall carb intake. |
| nutrients found in both types of | | | | |