Don’t Rule Out the Carbs

Mar 15, 2016

Some people approach carbohydrates, shortly referred to as carbs, like they are crab monsters with claws ready to sting at the slightest opportunity and even the meat from crabs have incredible health benefits.

The general myth says that the very existence of carbs poses serious problems to anyone trying to lose or keep their weight in check. Overtime, dietitians’ advice of ‘low-carbs’ have gradually been interchanged to mean no carbs, with more people going on the now famous ‘No-Carbs Diet’. The major problem with this is whether they may or may not succeed in their weight loss plan, they are in no way healthier by their choice of diet.

WHY ARE CARBS IMPORTANT?

As strange as it may be to know, they are essential to our diet to stay healthy. Sugar, starch and fiber are the basic forms of carbohydrates and although the sound of the first two (Sugar and Starch) may scream ‘run’ to our weight conscious brain, they are in fact, important to provide our bodies with the energy needed for daily activities and effective brain function.

According to the institute of medicine, an adult’s recommended daily calories content should consist of ‘45Percent to 65Percent from Carbohydrates’. It is also advised that major portion of this specified percentage should be taken at breakfast, thus ensuring that our bodies break these down and utilises them as energy for the day.

 

HOW DOES THE BODY PROCESS CARBS?

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Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose in the human body. Glucose cells moves through the body and is utilised immediately as energy. Excess glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen which is released as blood sugar when the body runs low, hence, steadily supplying it with fuel for daily activities. This is why Bubez Pap which contains a significant level of carbohydrates as well as other important nutrients such as Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, Folate, Iron etc, is described as an energy-fuelling meal.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that when the body consumes too much carbs and reaches it maximum storage capacity of glycogen, the body stores the excess as fat cells. Unfortunately, as fat cells become filled, the body forms to accommodate the extra cells we produce, thus, leading to weight gain.

 

RECOMMENDATION

The amount of carbohydrates we take should be dependent on how quickly and effectively our body burns them. It is also imperative to note that although our carbohydrates intake should match our body size, and level of exercise and activity, it is important that we do not deprive our body of the needed carbohydrates necessary for energy and healthy living.