Know Your Carbs Like A Man

Since carbohydrates are listed as one of the key parts of any healthy diet, it is crucial to know at least the basics.

Popular misconception says that cutting back on carbs will make you slimmer in no time. While this might be true, you should know this could be a double-edged blade.

Your body needs a wide variety of foods to function properly and stay healthy, which means that cutting back on crucial nutrients (in this case carbs), is usually a bad idea. Instead of discarding them completely, one needs to know which carbs to incorporate in their diet.

Types of Carbohydrates

There are 2 types of carbs – simple and complex. Complex carbohydrates make up the most of your carbohydrate intake, and they require much more time and work to be broken down, but that’s a good thing according to Sandra Meyerowitz, MPH, RD, a nutritionist, online nutrition coach, and owner of Nutrition Works in Louisville, Ky. She also added that simple carbohydrates, on the other hand, can be broken down more quickly, however, they don’t do much for your body.

Healthiest Sources Of Carbohydrates

If possible, make sure that most of the carbs you eat is whole grains. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always a great choice. In order to get the balanced carbs intake your body will benefit from, try to stick to these carbohydrate sources:

• whole grains (barley, bulgur, buckwheat, quinoa, oats)
• whole-wheat and other whole-grain breads
• brown rice
• whole-wheat pasta
• fruits and vegetables
• beans, lentils, and dried peas
• whole-grain cereals like 100 percent bran