Carbs....I don't need those or do I?

Lots of debate over Carbs.  So let’s try to understand them.  First off, carbs are Carbohydrates.  Carbohydrates are classified into three categories:

1. Monosaccharides: Simple sugars like glucose and fructose.  They are found in foods like honey and fruits

2. Disaccharides: These are like table sugar (sucrose) and lactose (sugar found in milk)

3. Polysaccharides: These sugars are also known as complex carbohydrates.  These are starch or starch-like sugars (dextrins, cellulose, glycogen, and pectin).  They are found in whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and some fruits and legumes.

How does my body use Carbs?

 Your body can only use a certain amount of monosaccharides.  They are absorbed through the small intestine and circulate through the bloodstream, and through the liver (as blood glucose).  The body then does one of three things:

 1.       Burn glucose for energy

 2.       If not needed for energy, converted to glycogen in liver/muscles

 3.       If excess of glucose and all stores are full, the liver converts to fat

          ** It is important to know that fat cannot be converted back to glucose **

 Awesome, so what?

  A person who is living a sedentary life, not too much exercise, doesn't need as much as someone who is working out. 

 You’re running and lifting and you think skipping carbs will help?  WRONG!  Your body needs carbs, especially when you’re in the upper limits of your aerobic pathway.  At this point 100% of your energy comes from carbohydrates and if the levels are not available, your body will catabolize your muscle!

Wrap it up, lady

 Just like with anything we eat, we have to ensure we have the correct balance for our body, without eating too much or too little.  A deficiency in this nutrient (along with all of the other nutrients your body needs) can prevent you from getting to your fitness goals!

Start your day off with the correct blood sugar levels!