CARBS

Macronutrients, are the three main food groups that all foods fall into—carbs, proteins and fats—each having its own molecular make up and role within the body. Fortunately for everyone reading who is not a science nerd and wants the quick and easy explanation, the Nemours Pediatric Hospital provides a kids health program explaining these macronutrients so simply, even a kid can understand…or in this case servers and bartenders just wanting to know how to simply fuel their body.

Carbs have gotten a bad rap over the years especially since Keto became the coolest thing since sliced bread (pun intended). However, this has led to serious health issues for the uneducated keto dieter since some fail to realize that by avoiding carbs, they are missing out on some powerful vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that you get from fruits and veggies!

Carbohydrates are the body’s most important and easily accessible source of energy. Carbs can be separated into two categories; simple and complex carbohydrates. The simple carbs are simple sugars; fructose, glucose, lactose, which includes your favorite candy but also milk and whole fruits. Complex carbs are the starchy foods like whole grains, breads, brown rice, as well as vegetables.

The body breaks down all carbs into simple sugars that enter the blood stream, as they enter and sugar levels rise, the pancreas will release the hormone insulin, which moves the sugar from the blood, into cells, where they can be used for energy. So, does it matter which carb your fueling your body with during your summer double since all carbs are sugar? YES!

While simple carbs can have their benefits—like all those vitamins from fresh fruit—other simple carbs like candy or white flour products and white rice, are broken down fairly quickly and can cause blood sugar levels to spike and will totally have you crashing

Conversely, complex carbs are broken down at a slower rate, so instead of that instant energy spike and crash, these carbs will gradually cause your blood sugar to rise, giving you a more lasting and sustained energy level for that double.

Referring back to the Macro stoplight, complex carbs are your green lights and simple carbs tend to hang out in the yellow and red lights zone with the exception of fresh fruit and some forms of dairy.

***Take a look at the list below to get to know which carbs are fanning your flames or putting out your fire!***

 Focus on trying to get the majority of your carbs from the green with some from the yellow, that way you can treat yourself to something from the red every now and then with a little Quarantini!

-----Stay tuned for more on portion control for Carbohydrates!

(Precision Nutrition)