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Carbohydrates, the strongest pillar of nutrition provide 4 calories of energy per gram and constitute 45-65% of our daily calorie intake. Carbohydrates are broken down to glucose, which is the primary energy source for our cells, muscles and brain. They ensure smooth functioning of the digestive tract and help with sound sleep. They are a component of most plant-based foods - cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Dairy products are the only animal source of carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates are called the bad carbs because they provide negligible nutritional value but significant calorific value, which result in weight gain and diabetes.
Simple carbs are high glycemic index and glycemic load foods, which result in a sudden, sharp increase in blood sugar levels. Simple carbs are composed of easy-to-digest sugars, which provide instant energy followed by an energy slump creating peaks and valleys in the blood glucose levels.Simple carbohydrates wreck your weight loss goals and create mayhem with glucose levels so they must be restricted.
Junk food comes under the category of simple carbs. Other examples of simple carbs include:Complex carbohydrates are considered good carbohydrates because they are brimming with the goodness of carbohydrates.
They consist of a long chain of glucose units, which take more time to break down to release glucose. They generally have a lower glycaemic index and glycaemic load as compared to simple carbohydrates, which ensures steady energy levels. Complex carbohydrates are an excellent source of fiber, which possesses hypo-cholesterolemic (cholesterol lowering) and hypo-glycemic (blood sugar lowering) properties.Along with fiber, complex carbohydrates are packed with vitamins and minerals like B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.
Low-carb diets restrict carbohydrate consumption by eliminating or limiting intake of cereals, pulses, fruits and starchy vegetables like potatoes for treating obesity or diabetes.
Low-carb diets are based on the principle that eliminating carbs lowers insulin levels, which forces the body to utilize stored fat for energy, leading to weight loss. Approximately, 60-130 grams of carbohydrates can be eaten although the amount of carbohydrates varies with different low-carbohydrate diets. Very low-carb diets restrict carbohydrate intake to 60 grams or less per day. Generally, a low-carb diet focuses on eating meat, poultry, fish and eggs, dairy products and leafy vegetables.
Egg white and vegetable omelette
Ingredients:
Consuming meat, full-fat dairy products and fried fatty foods increase blood cholesterol levels, which put you at a risk of heart-related disorders.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that carbohydrates should make up 45-65 % of your daily calorie intake.
If you eat 1,500 calories per day, you must eat 170-200 grams of carbohydrates daily. In order to meet this requirement, you must eat 4-6 servings of cereals, 2 servings of pulses, 2 servings of fruits,1-2 servings of dairy products and 4-5 servings of vegetables. Instead of going for the no-carb or low-carb diet, simply opt for the good carb diet, which unlocks the key to optimum health.