Carbohydrates…Good or Bad?

Sometimes we tend to ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater!’  This has been the case with carbohydrates.  Many of today’s popular diets severely restrict, and sometimes even eliminate carbohydrate foods.  The fact is there are many good carbohydrates…we sometimes refer to these as “slow carbs.”  Healthy carbohydrate foods are typically rich in nutrients, like fiber, which ultimately slows down their conversion to blood sugar.

The Glycemic Index Chart will show you a wide variety of foods, which are ranked according to the speed they convert to sugar.  You will want to avoid the foods that tend to quickly raise blood sugar.  Spikes in blood sugar will cause your body to release more insulin, which triggers your body to STORE fat.

Foods that are ranked lower on the glycemic index allow the release of more glucagon, which helps stabilize your blood sugar. This promotes healthy fat loss and helps control fatigue, cravings, irritability and mental focus.

Glycemic Index Examples:

• Low Glycemic Foods - Apples, Asparagus, Broccoli, Celery, Cherries, Cucumbers, Fructose, Grapefruit, Green Pepper, Lettuce, Onion, Peach, Pear, Plum, Spinach, Strawberries, Tomato, Zucchini. NatraLEAN™ Health Bars are low glycemic!
• Medium Glycemic Foods - Baked Beans, Cantaloupe, Grapes, Lactose, Oatmeal, Oranges, Pasta, Peaches, Pear, Pinto beans, Sweet Potato, Yam.
• High Glycemic Foods - Bagel, Banana, Bread, Cereals, Corn/Corn Chips, Muffins, Granola, White Potato, Pretzels, Raisins, Rice, Tortilla/Tortilla Chips.

NOTE: There are other carbohydrates that are found in meal replacements, sports drinks, bars, soft drinks and juices that you need to be careful with. Here are some sweeteners that are rated High.

• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Corn Syrup
• Maltodextrin
• Dextrose
• Glucose
• Sucrose

You can also refer to the Glycemic Index Chart for a comprehensive list of foods and their glycemic values.