Everyone needs to eat carbs at any point of their lives but that also doesn’t mean you should fuel up with cookies, candy, and potato chips. The best way you can go about it is to go for carbs that benefit you and avoid those that don’t.
But let’s dial it back up a little. Not all carbohydrates (or carbs for short) are created equal but that doesn’t mean they’re good or bad. Let’s just use the names they’re given and call them ‘complex carbs’ and ‘simple carbs’.
Relax, we’ve got you covered. Carbohydrates are an essential energy source and are vital for good health. The carbohydrates we eat are converted into glycogen (sugar) by the body which supplies the energy required for optimal bodily functions.
However, over the years, many fad diet programs have labelled carbohydrates as “good” or “bad”. Instead of putting a moral label on the foods we eat, it is better to understand how it works to keep us functioning at our best.
In a nutshell, there are two types of carbohydrates – simple carbs and complex carbs.
Complex carbs, on the other hand, include whole grains, vegetables, peas and beans, oats and brown rice, and consist of long chains of glucose (sugar) molecules that your body must work to break down before being absorbed.
Complex carbs also contain fibre, vitamins, minerals, and small amounts of healthy fats and protein. These carbs emit slow-release energy which can help to regulate appetite and blood sugar, keeping you full for longer periods.
Complex carbs, on the other hand, include whole grains, vegetables, peas and beans, oats and brown rice, and consist of long chains of glucose (sugar) molecules that your body must work to break down before being absorbed.
Complex carbs also contain fibre, vitamins, minerals, and small amounts of healthy fats and protein. These carbs emit slow-release energy which can help to regulate appetite and blood sugar, keeping you full for longer periods.
Also known as processed carbs or refined carbs, simple carbs are made up of smaller groups of glucose molecules, making them easier to absorb. Fruits, juices, milk, white flour, white rice, sugar, and soda are some of the examples of simple carbs.
These are the carbs that you should avoid or eat less of as they are very low in fibre, vitamins and minerals. These carbs also get absorbed more quickly into your bloodstream which can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar.
Also known as processed carbs or refined carbs, simple carbs are made up of smaller groups of glucose molecules, making them easier to absorb. Fruits, juices, milk, white flour, white rice, sugar, and soda are some of the examples of simple carbs.
These are the carbs that you should avoid or eat less of as they are very low in fibre, vitamins and minerals. These carbs also get absorbed more quickly into your bloodstream which can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar.
The bottom line is that there is no such thing as a “bad” carb. High-fibre carbs like whole grains, vegetables, and beans are slower to digest and packed with other important nutrients. That’s why it’s a good idea to choose these complex carbs most of the time. But simple, processed carbs aren’t bad. You can still have a cheat day and enjoy a slice of cake or a candy bar, as long as you’re eating a balance and varied diet overall.
If you’re really that worried about all that carbs accumulating in your system, Trigen-S by Elysyle might be able to relieve some of that tension. Trigen-S inhibits digestive enzymes from digesting carbs and preventing its absorption and transformation into fat. Trigen-S contains:
- Citrus extract that enhances lipolysis to reduce fat size
- Black bean extract that blocks carbs digestion and absorption, and prevents fat accumulation
- L-carnitine that transports the free fatty acids to the mitochondria for burning
- Olive extract and rosemary extract that balance the blood sugar and are high in antioxidants
- Guarana extract that increases fat burning and enhances energy production