| |
| |
|
Weight Loss Information Center |
|
|
|
Carbohydrates: Why Size Matters
If I collected a dime for each time I've seen or heard the word "carbohydrate" - or picked up a book on the subject, for that matter - I'd be a wealthy woman. And of course we've all heard the buzzwords: simple carb; complex carb; high carb; low carb; no carb. But do we really know what a carbohydrate is? And are carbs really as bad and fattening as we're told they are? In this article, I'll make my best attempt to unveil the mystery of the carbohydrate - and why it's gotten such a bad rap. After all, it's the molecule both scientists and nutritionists know is the main source of the body's energy. BASIC CHEMISTRY: First the boring stuff. The basic chemistry of a carbohydrate. I'll keep it brief: Carbohydrates contain a carbon atom attached to water molecules. This is important because it's the structure and size of a carbohydrate which influences the speed by which it's converted into glucose (sugar) and then into energy. WHY ARE CARBS USEFUL? Before we take a look at the different "sizes" of carbohydrates, let's look at why they are useful to us. Aside from supplying the body's energy, carbs are also useful for the proper functioning of internal organs, as well as proper function of the muscles and nervous system. The most exciting feature of a carbohydrate, in this writer's opinion, however, is it's ability to aid in protein and fat metabolism.So as it turns out, when used wisely, carbohydrates are actually useful in burning fat. THE THREE PRINCIPAL CARBS FOUND IN FOODS: Next let's take a look at the three basic carbohydrates found in foods (Still boring but stay with me). They are: simple sugars, starches and fiber. Simple Sugars come in two varieties. The monosaccharide (meaning one sugar) are quickly digested and almost immediately utilized by the body due to their "simple" structure (think fruits, fruit juices and honey). The second, disaccharides, act in almost the same way and are one molecule larger. The disaccharides, however, tend to be more of the refined sugars are very sweet to taste (think white sugar, candy etc.) The second basic type of carb is the starches or what we would consider complex carbs (the polysaccharides): foods such as potatoes, wheat, rice, corn. These carbs are slow to break down and take some time to be converted into energy. Finally, there's the fibers (think bran). Fibers don't have a lot of energetic value, however, they do lend some support to the body. Because they don't add much sugar to the system, they make it further through the pipeline to help with intestinal function and elimination. Moreover, they reduce cholesterol and slow fat absorption. WHY SIZE MATTERS The theory behind low carbohydrate diets is, when the body consumes too many carbohydrates the excess will become stored by the body as fat. This is true. When the body ingests a carbohydrate, it aims to convert it to glucose as soon as it can, so that it can be utilized by the body. If there is some excess, no problem, it will get stored as glycogen in the limited space of the muscles. The trouble arises, when the stores exceeded capacity: the remaining molecules are stored as fat in fat cells that can infinitely expand (horrors!). Yet, what if there was a way to outsmart this system by using the different "sizes" of carbohydrate molecules to your advantage? What if you could keep the body burning carbs at a steady rate according to the speed of your metabolism and your activity level? Enter the glycemic index. The glycemic index is a scale which tells you (on a food-by-food basis) the rate at which a carbohydrate is converted into glucose. The scale is calibrated by glucose itself (which is rated at 100). The higher the number the faster the conversion. First used by diabetics to prevent flux in blood sugar, the glycemic index (GI) has become a popular way to get all the benefits of carbohydrates without the threat of fat storage. Here's what the scale looks like:
HOW IS THE GI HELPFUL? If weight loss or weight maintenance is your goal (isn't it everyone's?), creating a diet around lower GI foods will decrease peaks in glucose levels. It's as simple as that. You can implement this eating pattern by scanning the low glycemic foods and aiming to consume a serving at each meal (Be sure to see the article on food combining in this issue). This will also help you avoid both the "highs and lows" of the refined sugar rush. Higher glycemic foods can be useful, too, and are considered the "recovery" foods. Medium and high GI foods should be consumed for up to two hours after exercise to recover lost carbohydrates and maintain steady blood-sugar levels. Because metabolism varies from person to person, it would be well worth your time and effort to continue a personal study of the glycemic index. Enjoy your carbs by checking in on your favorite foods and decide when it's best to consume them. Where to get this information: You can get the skinny on the glycemic indexes of all your favorite carbohydrate foods. Check out the searchable data base at: www.glycemicindex.com In closing, here's a few guidelines to help you put your carbs to good use: Aim to eat several small meals during the day. Choose one serving of carbs for each, preferably low GI. When in doubt choose carbohydrates that are naturally occurring such as vegetables and fruits. Minimize refined sugars whenever possible. When consuming breads aim for wheat instead of white. Try to substitute white potatoes with sweet and substitute brown rice for white. About The Author Laura Turner is the Sr. Editor of The New Body News and Wellness Letter: The premier online eZine dedicated to giving you the 'Insight and Inspiration to Build a Better You.' Raise your healthy I.Q. Subscribe today for F.r.e.e. visit: http://www.new-body-news.com or send any email to: mailto:newbodynews@getresponse.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Lose Weight NOW! - Do or Die Time! Some of you will not like what I'm going to say, even though it is the truth. That may be where the issue of America's health problems lies. Plan Your Way to Weight Loss Success Like millions of men and women, I started resolving to exercise more and lose the weight for good. Months later, I haven't been to the gym any more frequently than last time I resolved to lose weight and exercise. For All Walks of Life Why Walking Could Be the Solution to Your Fitness Dilemma.Walk, don't run, to your local fitness store and try on a pair of walking shoes. The Seven Secrets of Weight Loss When embarking on a weight loss program people will almost always focus on just one or two of the seven necessary components needed to achieve their goal. In order to maximize ones weight loss results they must combine all seven components. Does It Matter If You Are Overweight? Everywhere we look in the western world we are inundated with pictures, images, icons and inferences of the 'perfect' female shape! The truth is that many of these images are altered or enhanced in some way and do not depict the typical female form. The pressure to lose weight is immense when we are bombarded every day with media selling products based on slimness, sex appeal and fashion. 3 Easy Dieting Success Tips 1. Drink 8-10 glasses of water each dayOkay, for many people this is a big problem. How To Burn Fat The Easy Way...The Only Way? You have heard enough about losing weight with various means like dieting,calorie restriction and diet supplements.But,I have a question for you. Snack Ideas for Kids That Wont Wreck Moms Diet If you are a mom at home on a diet, you will probably related to a frequent situation I encounter as a weight loss consultant. Many of my clients with children are able to keep to a healthy eating plan through most circumstances except two. Weight Loss: The A Factor - The #1 Secret to Sticking to Your Weight Loss Program! Twenty years ago, I did not expect to accomplish what I have in the fitness world. And I surely didn't dream about writing best-sellingbooks or think my story was worth retelling. 5 Simple Steps to Start Your Weight Loss Program Remember there's more to you than meets the eye. You've got personality, brains, feelings? in short, all those things that make you, YOU. 2 Ways To Start Burning More Calories Today 1. Start Exercising first thing in the morning. The Ultimate Weight Loss Product Guide Are you one of the many who may be tempted by advertisements for diet pills and other weight loss products promising easy, quick ways to lose weight? Were you aware that a simple 30 minute infomercial can cost anywhere from $80,000 to 120,000 dollars to make. Pretty crazy don't you think? Yet time and time again you see countless weight loss infomercials selling product after product. How Body Mass Index Works - Set Your Weight Loss Goals Many people want to lose a few of those annoying pounds, but they just don't know where to start. If only there was some sort of guide that would help dieters to set goals. Loss Your Weight WEIGHT LOSS:Nutrition and weight-loss researchers say that some supplements can give you a advantage in the battle to be slim (helping you lose about 2 to 3 pounds a month).Protein can reduce hunger (thereby decreasing the calories you consume), help you preserve muscle as you lose weight, and help your body build more muscle, particularly if you include strength training in your fitness routine, Muscle burns more calories than fat and also helps you look trimmer, Kreider says, so strength training three times a week is a good addition to any weight-loss program. What the Diet Industry Wont Tell You--6 Secrets Revealed I am not a diet and fitness guru or an obesity expert. I'm just a normal person who was where you are today, overweight and hating it. Wellness Coach Reveals Celebrity Diet We think we know everything there is to know about them. After all, faithful paparazzi hunt them down just so we can get a picture or a glimpse of their lives. The Truth About Low Carb Dieting Every day you walk down the street it is becoming more and more apparent that the average person is becoming larger and this trend has escalated over recent years. Why are they getting fatter? Here are some reasons. Yoga As An Aid To Weight Loss Yoga is wonderful for nurturing a state of mental and physical well being . It promotes a balanced and healthy lifestyle, and yoga techniques can be applied also to removing excess weight, thus bringing you an extra benefit, that is if being overweight is a problem to you. Dieting Effects - Diet Pills When it comes to our weight and the appearance of our bodies, most of us are concerned about one thing or another. We have a hard time fitting into our clothes and we want to do something about it. Eat Healthy for Life Let's not talk about diets. Diets are punishment - like being sent to bed without dinner.
|
| home | site map | Home Site |
| © 2006 |
