Eating to loose weight
Carbohydrates provide the body with energy. They contain 4 kilocalories per
gram and because carbohydrates are easier to digest than protein or fat, they
are the most energy-efficient body fuel.
While carbohydrates contain lower calories than fat, which contains 9 kilocalories
per gram, unburned carbohydrates are still stored in the body as fat. This is
why many diet programs recommend the reduction of carbohydrates intake. Since
most overweight individuals lead inactive lifestyles, they are unable to burn
the excess calories they get from too much carbohydrate in their diets.
Carbohydrates are split in to two classifications: Simple and Complex.
Complex carbohydrates like potatoes, squash, pasta and breads, because they
contain fibre and starch, take longer to digest and therefore are not easily
dispensed to the body as glucose.
Simple carbohydrates like table sugar or fruits are great sources of quick energy
but too much of these simple sugars, when they come in low-fibre diets, may
also lead to health problems.
The healthier option is to take high-fiber carbohydrates because high-fiber
diets are known to lower the incidence of high-cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes
and heart disease. Still even with high-fiber, carbohydrates must be taken in
moderation because aside from them, most meals contain other energy sources
like protein and fat.
Original Authors:
Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: Ryan Norfolk
Updated On: 05/12/2006
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