| Carbohydrates
have gotten a bad wrap lately. Trendy diets instruct people to load
up on protein and cut back on carbos. The truth is that some
sources of carbohydrates are good for you and help you lose weight
while other sources of carbohydrates are fattening and cause you to
gain weight.
Fattening carbohydrates
- doughnuts
- cookies
- white (refined) pasta
- white (refined) rice
- sweetened breakfast cereal
- white bread
- bagels
- high sugar sports bars
- potato chips and other snacking foods
- candy
Healthy carbohydrates preventing obesity and disease
- whole grain brown bread
- whole-wheat bread
- whole grain cereals
- whole grain anything...
These healthy sources of carbohydrates are healthy
because they provide fiber. Fiber prevents disease and it leaves
you satisfied longer so you are less likely to overeat. These healthy
sources of carbos also provide long term energy which allows you
to be more active and to have more efficient workouts. Sugary snacks
are more fattening, less satisfying, and can only provide short
term energy, which quickly dissipates leaving you tired and more
likely to be inactive. See Fiber
Your Bread Cereal Rice & Pasta Group is your main
source for healthy carbohydrates. Teen girls should eat 8.5 servings
daily. Teen boys and vigorously active teen girls should eat 11
servings daily.
(See the Food Guide Pyramid)
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