Choose Your Carbs Carefully
By Tom Herrin
Many of us try to monitor our health. It is a good way to avoid many potential problems that may occur later. Working to make a good plan that can help us to address our needs can keep us focused. Many people try to adjust their diet by increasing or decreasing some nutrients. While it may go in phases, the current trend is to restrict carbs. Some programs work to force the body to burn fats as an energy source instead of carbs. In a well-planned diet, most of these things can work, but we have to be very involved in understanding fats, carbs, and proteins. We will look at carbs here.
Simple Carbs
Some words are a little bit self-explanatory. Simple carbs are pretty much that. They are a quick supply of sugar that is provided without a long process of breaking down. We often think of them as something that is high in sugar, or straight sugar. For many years, many of us have felt that consuming simple carbs will give us a burst of energy, but a 2019 study painted a different picture. It found that the greater impact may have been a sugar low awhile after consuming the sugar. In other words, the drop in energy level later amplified the feeling of the energy rush. It may have created a bit of an illusion.
Complex Carbs for the Duration
The carbs that are generally healthier are called complex. They require more processing through the body as they are broken down to release energy. This can help them to provide more lasting energy over a longer period of time. If you are going to be doing some kind of physical activity that lasts for several hours, taking in complex carbs will provide you with more sustained energy. Bulking up a diet with good vegetables is always a good idea.
Do You Juice in the Morning?
Many of us drink some kind of fruit juice at breakfast. While fruit is good and has some useful nutrients, juices may contain an overabundance of sugar. Choosing to eat a piece of whole fruit may be a healthier choice as it likely has fewer calories and, maybe, more fiber. It is all a matter of educating ourselves and making choices that support our goals. Carbs are not all bad, we just need to consume them wisely.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fontana, Calif.