Carbohydrates

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

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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