Don't be perplexed when it comes to complex carbs!

When I first heard the term, “Complex Carbs” I was wondering, 'why do they call it complex and why now, after a surge of high-protein fad diets, are they all of a sudden welcomed back in to our lives?'

It’s because we all need ENERGY; and complex carbohydrates provide just that!

LuLu's Breakfast

Aren’t we all happy that carbs are not bad after all? On the contrary, they are life sustaining and necessary to our health. Leaving carbs out of our daily food intake will slow us down physically and mentally. In fact, the human brain’s main energy source comes from glucose (carbohydrates). No wonder I always think about carbs… Now the sequence in my head makes sense: Healthy mind turns into healthy body turns into a much happier self.

What are complex carbohydrates? They are high-fiber foods that improve digestion and help stabilize blood sugar levels. That means that your body will need more time to digest them and your tummy will feel satisfied longer after a meal.

So what makes complex carbohydrates so complex? It’s in the molecules. Yes, it’s their make-up and how they are absorbed by our bodies that make them complex. Complex carbohydrates are starches with long complex chains of simple sugars. Even though the word sugar may raise an eyebrow, one has to remember to opt for the kind that is most complex, if not “resistant” in order to avoid blood-sugar spikes. The longer it takes for the body to break down the sugar the more resistant the carb.

Interestingly, the list to pick from is vast when it comes to The Good Carb:

• Beans or lentils
• Whole grains such as brown rice, barley, quinoa or amaranth
• Vegetables and fruits such as grapefruit, apples, prunes, pears, plums, strawberries and oranges
• Sweet Potatoes
• Yogurt, low fat, skim milk soy milk

What to look out for in the grocery store:

• Stick to whole wheat or whole grain products
• Check for the sugar content on label of items you shop for (if sugar is on top of the list – steer away from it)
• Stick to fresh produce and avoid processed/refined foods

In conclusion, the benefits are plentiful when incorporating the right carbs – that is the good carbs into our daily diets. Let’s remember that our human body requires us to feed it 55-65% of the daily calorie intake from carbs in order to perform at its best. Ultimately, the closer one gets to nature, the closer one gets to health.

LuLu