Carbohydrates have become increasingly demonised over the past years. However they are not all that bad. On the contrary. They are actually our body’s preferred source of fuel and vital for optimal health and performance.
When we eat carbohydrates, they are broken down into glucose which is then used by our brain, muscles and other organs, giving us the fuel to thrive!
What’s important to note is that there are different types of carbohydrates.
Simple and complex carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates are digested quickly and lead to a quicker spike in energy. These are usually your more refined carbohydrates such as white bread and sweets etc. Simple carbohydrates should be used in context. For example if you are someone who is exercising a lot and has very high energy requirements, looking to fuel for performance, then simple carbohydrates should be a regular part of your diet.
On the other hand, complex carbohydrates. These are digested slower and lead to a slower and more sustained release in energy. These are usually found in more unrefined carbohydrates sources such as whole grain products and legumes.
Another very important nutrient that is found in complex carbohydrates is fiber. Fiber plays a crucial role in promoting gut health, blood sugar control, healthy cholesterol levels and has also been found to reduce the risk of many diseases. If we were to restrict our complex carbohydrate intake, we would also be restricting overall fiber intake, which would be detrimental to our overall health.
In summary, depending on our individual activity status, we want to include both simple and complex carbohydrates in our diet to ensure that we are giving our body the fuel it needs to thrive. At the end of the day it is about balance and making sure that we are enjoying a variety of foods in moderation, not excessively restricting anything, but also being mindful of how we fuel our bodies.