Good Carbohydrates

Good carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates are the same thing. Learn about the good carbohydrates here.

Good Carbohydrates: Go Down Smoothly

Okay, so first you hear about carbs being a bad thing. These diets are so popular, right? Well, don't buy into all the hype just yet.

Good carbohydrates are good for you

When it comes to carbohydrates, there are good carbohydrates and bad carboydrates. The good carbohydrates (also known as complex carbohydrates) usually have a lot of fiber, and they are harder for the body to break down. That's confusing, right? Like if it's harder for your body to break it down, it can't be good, right? Wrong. The harder it is for your body to break foods down, the longer you will feel full, therefore, the less you will eat.

In addition to having a lot of fiber, good carbohydrates are found in foods that usually have a lot of vitamins, minerals and macronutrients like fruits and vegetables. Because fruits and vegetables have carbs, they are extremely limited on a low carb diet. In fact, you're not allowed to have enough of them to benefit. Forget five servings a day! This is one reason low carb diets are under fire these days. That and the fact that fruits and vegetables have a lot of fiber, which your body needs to stay regular.

Here are some examples of foods that are considered good carbohydrates:

Fruits
Vegetables
Whole wheat or whole grain breads, crackers, etc.
Whole wheat pasta
Brown or long grain rice
Oats

Don't dismiss good carbohydrates

Before you scoff at the list, give some of these good carbohydrates a try. You might be pleasantly surprised. To make it simple, just cut out anything made with white flour (such as white bread, regular pasta and baked goods) or refined sugar (again, sugary snack foods, candy, cake, pie, cookies, brownies, etc.). In most of these instances, you can substitute good carbohydrates for bad. This can be done by eating whole wheat or whole grain bread instead of white, whole wheat pasta instead of regular, fresh-cut veggies instead of chips, fresh fruit instead of sugary snacks, etc.

Give good carbs a chance. Your body will thank you.