Carbs have had a bad rap for a while. I hear it all the time–people treat carbs like the enemy. In fact, carbs are an important ally in good health, as long as you eat the right ones in the right way. You see, carbohydrates are the primary fuel for brain function and the healthy operation of your spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. We all need them to live! Let’s talk about how your body responds when you eat carbohydrates so you can put them back on your friends list. Eating a carbohydrate gives your body energy in the form of glucose. Your cells absorb as much as is needed, converting the remainder into glycogen. Glycogen is stored for the times you use up all your glucose and you need more fuel. Now, once your glycogen storage hits max capacity, the excess is converted into triglycerides which are stored as fat. It’s the surplus of carbs that get stored as fat that is your enemy. You need the fuel, so elimination of carbohydrates isn’t the answer; the moderation and the type of carbohydrates is your golden ticket. If you allow your carbohydrate consumption to come from the healthiest sources, you’re off to a great start in redefining your relationship to this vital nutrient. The best carbohydrates are those that convert to glucose slowly, thus thwarting a quick insulin spike which confuses your body and leaves you ultimately feeling sluggish. Here is a list of excellent carbohydrate sources: Brown rice Whole vegetables and fruit Beans and legumes Oats Millet Quinoa Root Vegetables Eating these in moderation every day is going to keep you feeling energized and satiated without packing on the pounds. It’s time to change the way we think about carbs. They’re not the enemy, they’re an important part of a healthy diet.
