We hear so much about carbs, especially if you are diabetic, but do you really know what a carb is?
First of all, carb/s is a shortened term for carbohydrates. Okay, you say, now what is a carbohydrate?
A carbohydrate, along with protein and fat, is one of the 3 macronutrients supplying our bodies with the calories they need to function. That's right; our bodies must have calories to function properly. Simply put, carbohydrate foods are the sugars and starches. So fruits, vegetables, grains, potatoes, etc are carb foods. Many foods, milk for example, contain all 3 of the macronutrients of carbs, fat, and protein.
Diabetics are told to watch their carbs and to avoid refined carbs because when you eat foods high in poor quality carbs, such as refined sugar, bleached white flour, etc, they can raise your blood sugar rapidly and your insulin to higher than normal levels. Over time, excessive sugar in the blood can be damaging to the body leading to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Pictured below are some of the healthy carbs.
A carbohydrate, along with protein and fat, is one of the 3 macronutrients supplying our bodies with the calories they need to function. That's right; our bodies must have calories to function properly. Simply put, carbohydrate foods are the sugars and starches. So fruits, vegetables, grains, potatoes, etc are carb foods. Many foods, milk for example, contain all 3 of the macronutrients of carbs, fat, and protein.
Diabetics are told to watch their carbs and to avoid refined carbs because when you eat foods high in poor quality carbs, such as refined sugar, bleached white flour, etc, they can raise your blood sugar rapidly and your insulin to higher than normal levels. Over time, excessive sugar in the blood can be damaging to the body leading to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Pictured below are some of the healthy carbs.
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