Your Carbo Footprint - Importance of Carbs

Your Carbo Footprint - Importance of Carbs

Introduction

With the recent heat wave just passing around the corner, summer has announced its appearance. For many of us, this is the time to show off our bodies at the beach or aim to eat a healthier diet this tropical season. However, while trendy diets may be effective to lose weight or body fat, you must be aware of the nutritional value you consume each day. The keto diet, for example, is a diet where you neglect carbohydrate intake for proteins. Despite all the controversy and ongoing research around carbs, they are critical for day to day bodily functions. Here are the scientific reasons why carbohydrates should be a crucial part of your diet.


What are carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are the main source of the body’s energy. They are macronutrients, nutrients needed in large quantities that the body uses to function. The most common forms of carbohydrates are fibers, sugars, and starches, which can be found in a variety of foods, including bread, beans, milk, popcorn, potatoes, soft drinks, etc. Sugars and starches are eventually broken down into glucose as fuel for the body, while fiber passes through as waste.

There are also two different types of carbs: simple and complex carbohydrates. 

Simple Carbs

 

  • Includes table sugar, glucose, and lactose (milk sugar)
  • Also includes refined carbs used in sugary foods and fast foods
  • Not as valuable as complex carbohydrates

 

Complex Carbs

 

  • The healthiest sources of carbohydrates
  • Unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans—promote good health by delivering vitamins, minerals, fiber

 

Both types are naturally occurring, but impact your body in different ways. Simple carbohydrates (like refined sugar) found in highly processed foods can contribute to weight gain, interfere with weight loss and promote diabetes and heart disease. Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest, make you feel full for longer and have more nutritional benefits.


Why eat carbohydrates?

An increase in carbohydrates can reduce the likelihoods of disease, energy loss, and depression. Carb-rich foods contain fiber and vitamin B, both of which can contribute to healthy eating habits, improved moods, and overall maintain your physical health.

Fiber

 

  • A complex carbohydrate
  • Helps with bowel regularity
  • Lower blood cholesterol
  • Helps you feel full longer (from dieting perspective)
  • Found in fruits, legumes, whole grain foods, vegetables, nuts and seeds

 

Vitamin B

 

  • Found in many carb-rich foods, like whole grains, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds
  • Necessary for bodily processes, can lead to disease if deficient
  • Boost energy and lower nausea in expectant mothers
  • Thought to increase testosterone in men, may help with muscle building

 


What are some supplements to take?

The following nutritional supplements help in your Quest for good health. They can help meet your unique nutritional needs. 

 

  1. Super Stress B + C 1000 mg
    1. Quest Super Stress B + C 1,000 mg is a high-quality, high-potency B-complex supplement with added vitamin C, making this an excellent formula for helping the body deal with the effects of stress.   
  2. Super once a day
    1. Quest Super Once A Day Time Release Multiple Vitamins and Chelated Minerals is a premier multivitamin and mineral formula that provides megadose nutrition in a single tablet. The time release format gives a continuous supply of nutrients, assuring maximum utilization of each ingredient. This supplement contains a complete spectrum of essential vitamins and easily absorbed amino acid-chelated minerals in a formula that also maximizes bioavailability and physiological bioactivity of the nutrients. 

 


Where can I find more information?