Carbohydrates are not the enemy.

In fact, they are an integral part of a balanced diet.  They are the main source of energy for brain power, working muscles, and other body functions.

There are two types - simple and complex.

Simple carbs are....

made from smaller or simple sugars.  They are found in milk, fruit, processed grains, and some vegetables.  The most common are those that have been added to processed foods.  On a food label, these could be listed as high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, or fructose, among other names.  These are metabolized quickly, so they don’t give the feeling of satiety like proteins or fats do.  This could explain why you feel hungry an hour after stuffing yourself with pancakes or French toast at the local breakfast buffet.

Complex carbs are made from chains of simple carbs.  They are found in unprocessed grains, and vegetables such as potatoes,  corn, and peas.  Because it takes longer for your body to break these down, they don’t spike your insulin level.  This is why many food manufacturers now advertise these as “net carbs.”

Fiber, another complex carb, can not be broken down completely by your body so it passes through nearly unchanged.  Consequently, most high fiber foods have low caloric content.

So what is a person to do?  In general, try to limit the simple carbs in your diet.  Make daily decisions like replacing white rice with brown rice, and white bread with whole wheat; choose fresh fruit instead of fruit juice with added sugar, and look at labels for hidden sugars.