Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs

Carbs. We love 'em. We hate 'em. We love to hate 'em.

We NEED carbs in our diet in order for our bodies to function properly. However, there are two different types of carbs. Complex Carbohydrates (good carbs) and Simple Carbohydrates (bad carbs).

How do you tell the difference? Well, that one is actually pretty simple.

Simple Carbs

Simple carbs are going to be things that are made with "white" ingredients. White sugar and white flour. Can anyone say donuts, pastries, candy, cookies, regular pasta, fruit drinks/juice, alcohol, white bread? The list goes on and on - hopefully you get the picture.

Oh, and we can't forget everything made with High Fructose Corn Syrup. I'm not even going to get into that one...

Simple carbs should be avoided at all costs. They are going to spike your blood sugar and end up being empty calories because they are not going to satisfy you for long and you will just be hungry again 30 minutes later. We don't want that, do we?

Complex Carbs

Complex carbs are going to be all the other carbs. Fruits (yes fruit is a carb!), veggies (yes veggies are carbs), whole wheat bread, quinoa, brown rice, sweet potatoes, I could go on forever!

Complex carbs are GREAT for you! They are going to make up about 55% of your diet! They are going to keep you full and satisfied longer. A fruit, ex. apple, is really a simple carb BUT it's a good one because it also has FIBER. Do you know what fiber does? It keeps your belly full!

I found this great picture on Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Diet website. If you have some time, snoop around and see what you can learn!

<3,

Kell