Are Carbohydrates Bad or Good for You? By Kim Baer (guest author)


According to the textbook (Marotz, 2012), carbohydrates, particularly complex carbohydrates such as those found in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains,  are the body’s best source of energy and should make up the majority of food consumed.  This advice is echoed in a WebMD.com article (http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/carbohydrates), which notes that 45-65 percent of adult’s calories should come from carbohydrates.  The article further notes that the fiber in complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains) take longer for your body to digest, prevent the ”peaks and valleys” in blood sugar.  This longer digestion process also means people feel fuller for longer, according to the article.
Another article about carbohydrates on the Mayo Clinic website (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/carbohydrates/MY01458) notes that some studies have shown that whole grains and fiber can help reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes.  

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