Carbs Explained - Bad Carbs

Bad Carbs

What's so bad about bad carbs? Plenty.

Why You Should Avoid Bad Carbs

It's no secret that obesity is a huge problem in this country. Part of the reason for that is the availability of so many foods that are loaded with bad carbs. And with the low carb diet craze, all carbs have received a bad rap. It wasn't until the last year or two that the focus has shifted. Now it seems like more people are concerned with eating good carbs instead of bad carbs. Why? Because bad carbs cause your blood sugar to spike, then drop like a bomb. That's why you get a "sugar rush" when you eat sugary foods or too much bread or pasta, only to want or need a nap a couple of hours later. In addition, you're likely to be feeling hungry again, and chances are you'll eat more bad carbs. It's a vicious circle. Not only that, but when you eat too many bad carbs, it causes your body to produce more insulin, and too much insulin leads to weight gain.

So how should one avoid this? Avoid dessert foods and sugary foods and snacks, white breads, crackers, regular pasta and white rice, as well as fruit juices and sodas. Instead, up your intake of fruits and vegetables. First of all, you can cook vegetables in such a way that they are absolutely delicious and you actually look forward to eating them. And fruit is naturally sweet, so it can quell a sugar craving. And you don't have to give up bread, pasta and rice completely. Instead, opt for whole wheat or whole grain breads and crackers, whole wheat pasta, brown or long grain rice. Just give it a try! You might be surprised at how you will barely notice a difference between that and the regular versions. And you won't eat as much of these as you would regular foods because they are foods with good carbs, which typically have a lot of fiber, which makes you feel full, so you eat less. Eventually, eating less will cause you to lose weight.

Does this mean you have to give up desserts entirely? No. They are fine--in moderation. Treat desserts or a meal of bad carbs as a treat you get on a special occasion instead of making them a part of your daily diet. That way you won't feel deprived.