Carbohydrates

Simple Carbohydrates versus Complex Carbohydrates There are a number of people who are curious about the concepts of simple versus complex types of carbs. In order to completely understand the differences between these types, it is first important to learn what this nutrient is and what it does for the body. These elements are considered to be a macronutrient. This means that they assist in providing calories so that the body may have the energy that it requires in order to function appropriately. While there are two other types of macronutrients, this nutrient is considered to be one of the most important. The other two include the nutrient of protein, as well as fat. In this guide, you will gain an effective understanding of simple carbs versus complex carbs, as well as the types of foods that fit into each category.

Simple Carbs

If you ingest a simple carb, it means that you are ingesting a carb, that has a very basic chemical structure overall. Most of this type of carb has sugars in them that are considered to be refined. This means that toxins and other types of waste are removed from the sugar and that it is considered to be pure sugar. In addition to this, simple carbs contain vitamins and certain minerals that assist in the basic functions of the body. Due to the characteristics of simple carbs, the body is able to digest them in a relatively quick fashion. The following displays foods that are considered to be simple carbs:

Various Types of Apples

Lemon

Blackberries

Cherries

Strawberries

Oranges

Grapefruit

Peaches

Fruit Juices

Honey

Dairy Products: Milk and Yogurts

Complex Carbs

When you ingest complex carbs, it means that you are taking in carbs that have a more detailed and in-depth chemical makeup. As a result of the complexity surrounding the overall composition, these generally take quite a while to properly digest. In addition to this basic information, it should be known that these types have long chains of sugars in their chemical makeup. It is not unusual to find chains consisting of three or more different types of sugars. While these are considered to be an important part of your daily diet regime, they should account for one half or less of the total carb intake that you have. The following foods represent those that are considered to be complex when it comes to the carbs that they contain:

Various Types of Nuts

Different Types of Breads

Rice

All Forms of Pasta

Vegetables Green in Color

Corn

Potatoes

Beans Considered to be Dry

Sugar

Chocolate

Sodas

Conclusion

If you are interested in indulging in a diet that is considered to be healthy, and possibly even looking to shed a few pounds, it is important to understand simple carbs versus complex carbs. If you are seeking to promote weight less, it is best to indulge in a diet that consists of simple carbs. If you want to maintain your current weight, a diet of an equal mix of simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates is considered to be an appropriate course of action. Now that you know the scoop on simple carbohydrates versus complex carbohydrates, you can decide which dietary regime to follow.