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.
Starches are complex carbohydrates that can be excellent sources of energy for your body, but many foods with starches are unhealthy. They can be low in essential nutrients or high in calories, fat and sugars.
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Starch is a complex carbohydrate, and sources include bread, pasta, rice and other grains. Sugars are simple carbohydrates, and they include sucrose, or table sugar; fructose, also known as fruit sugar; and lactose, which is found naturally in milk.
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Snacks can help suppress hunger when you are on a low-carbohydrate diet to lose weight; however, keep in mind that snacks themselves are often high in carbohydrates. Pretzels, cookies, fruit, French fries and granola bars can easily have in excess of 15 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
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The body uses carbohydrates for energy for muscles and the central nervous system. Carbohydrates also allow your body to metabolize fat for energy and use protein for other functions besides energy.
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