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