CARBOHYDRATES FOR ENERGY

Don't be misled by diets that claim that carbohydrates are bad for health. Carbohydrates provide all the energy you need to carry out your daily activities, exercise and also for proper functioning of all the organs. So, it becomes very important to include carbohydrates in your daily diet, even if  you are trying to lose weight.

Complex, unrefined carbohydrates contain many more vitamins and minerals than refined carbohydrates plus plenty of fibre, which is essential for a healthy body. You can always check the calories of the carbohydrate foods, based on their quantity you consume, through a calorie counter which you can find on the internet.

Some people avoid carbohydrates inorder to lose weight weight. Diet devoid of carbohydrates cause tiredness or fatigue, poor mental function and lack of endurance and stamina.  Carbohyrates are essential for proper functioning of brain, heart, nervous, digestive and immune systems. Have the right carbohydrates  mentioned below and not the simple or refined ones like refined sugar, pastries, cakes, white breads, sweets, as they contain high calories and will be converted into fat and stored in the body. Carbohydrates should form 60 percent of your daily calorie intake, fibre 20 percent and protein 20 percent .

GOOD carbohydrates:
Bran, wheat germ, wholemeal bread, multigrain brown bread, brown rice, potatoes, wholemeal pasta, barley, oats, lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas, corn, potatoes, wholegrain cereals, oats, fruits, root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, leeks and radishes.

BAD carbohydrates:

Sweets, sugary breakfast cereals, cakes, food made from plain white flour, pastries, refined sugar, (sucrose), fizzy drinks, processed fruit juices, biscuits, sugary chocolates.