Carbohydrates
Carbohydrate is not the evil substance you thought it is. It is an essential part of your diet, and plays a vital role in your health. It is found in nearly all foods, though in highly variable amounts. Foods such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, legumes and fruit have a high percentage of carbohydrates.
An Energy Source
Carbohydrate (commonly called 'carbs') is one of the main energy sources in food, and is the body's preferred source of energy. During digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream, from which it an be delivered to the cells of the body and used for energy.
Glucose, the product of carbohydrate digestion, is an essential fuel for the brain. The brain cells, unlike other cells of the body, cannot use any alternate fuel and must therefore have a constant supply of glucose.
pasta doesn't make you fat, it is what you put with itDoes Carbohydrate make you fat?
Carbohydrate itself does not make you fat. Carbohydrate is just another energy source like fats and protein. Carbohydrates themselves do not make you fat, it is eating too much of any of these energy sources compared to the amount of activity that you do that will make you store the excess energy sources and make you gain weight.
Related Pages
- GI - what does it mean?
- Simple Steps To A Low Glycemic Index Diet — examples of how to incorporate low GI foods in your diet
- Carbohydrates and weight loss
- GI and Athletes — both high and low GI foods have a place in the diet of athletes.
- Carbohydrates for athletes
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