Carbohydrates serve as an essential energy source, but processed versions can lead to inflammation and weight gain. Understanding the difference between complex carbs like oatmeal and simple sugars is key to metabolic health.
Refined foods are processed foods that lack many of the nutrients they once had. They generally add a lot of calories to your diet, when compared to the amount of nutrients they contribute. The refining process refers specifically to carbohydrates such as grains and sugars.
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Sugar, a form of carbohydrates, is quickly available to be converted to energy. If sugar calories are not used as energy shortly after they are consumed, however, they are converted into stored body fat by a process known as lipogenesis.
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The glycemic index is a scale that rates how quickly a given carbohydrate causes blood sugar to rise. The faster that blood sugar rises, the faster that insulin is released. Insulin is a hormone that removes sugars from the blood.
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The Atkins program is based on the premise that low-carb diets can help burn body fat and promote weight loss. Because there are four phases in the Atkins diet, acceptable Atkins breakfast foods will vary based upon the current stage you're in.
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