For Total Health, Count Carbs In
By Tom Herrin
There is a lot to be said about counting calories. Taking in a balanced diet generally involves being especially aware of whatever they consume and why. Most people were taught throughout school just what they needed in the way of nutrients. Those basic parts of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates has not really changed. What may have changed is the recommendation for the portion of each in a diet. Some of this seems to go according to current trends. Diets that are high in one kind of nutrient and low in some other may work for a while, but people need to understand what must be there. Some recent diets have focused on cutting carbs.
Cutting These Carbs Won't Hurt
Carbs come from many different kinds of sources. Those from sugars are generally some that should be limited. It has been suggested that women should limit their daily intake from these to 100 calories per day while men limit theirs to 150 calories. It is unfortunate that these are so readily available, but they are found in many foods that are packaged ready-to-eat. While there may be some that are a little healthy, a large number of them are packed full of sugars and are definitely unhealthy. These are the ones that people so often grab when they are on the go and have little time to stop and eat.
Consuming These Carbs Add to Better Health
It is absolutely necessary to have some carbs. Keeping them to a certain level may help to manage health effectively. Those carbs that come from fruits, vegetables, and some grains are much better. It is still wise to monitor the amount, but the body requires some. They are necessary to provide fuel. If people do not have enough, their body will begin to use muscle as fuel, thus decreasing the amount of lean muscle in their body.
Read Labels and Be Healthier
There may not be much value from the exercise of reading, but if we read labels and remain as aware as possible of what we eat, our bodies will be the beneficiary. I try my best to read those labels every time I purchase something new. As well, I actually read them to confirm what I already know. Keeping that balance of nutrients is a great way to promote good health and manage weight too. I do what I can to maximize what I eat without allowing it to overwhelm me with what I don't need. It works pretty well.
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