http://www.sugarsensitive.com/carbs/bad-carbs.html bad carbs to avoid! What are bad carbs and why should we give them a wide berth? en-us Fri, 02 Dec 2005 16:51:02 EST Fri, 02 Dec 2005 16:51:02 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 We are still in the midst of the low carbs diet craze. Popular high carbohydrate foods such as bread and pasta have become strictly off limits for some, while meat, eggs and dairy produce have been enjoying a renaissance. However some dieters have reported experiencing unpleasant side effects while on counting carbs diets. These side effects include headaches, constipation and dizziness. Nutritionists have also been calling the low carb diets into question, claiming that eating carbs is necessary and we are taking health risks by omitting them from our daily diet. What are good and bad carbs? Now many are reintroducing carbohydrates back into their diets, a distinction is being made between good carbs and bad carbs. Nutritionists recommend that our diet should consist of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fat. We are encouraged to steer clear of bad carbs wherever we can. Foods that are included on the bad carbs list are: white bread pies and pastries cakes cookies candy sugar-sweetened cereals syrup These refined foods offer little nutritional value and are high in sugar and calories. The body will burn up these foods at a faster rate than good carbohydrate foods and protein, thus making us hungry again quickly. We want to avoid fluctuations in our blood sugar levels. A diet rich in bad carbs can lead to weight gain as we feel more hungry at more regular intervals and thus eat more. We should be aiming to follow a balanced diet, rich in good carbs such as fruit, vegetables, whole-grain cereals, whole wheat bread and pasta, balanced out by protein and natural fat. Avoiding bad carbs and taking plenty of exercise is crucial when trying to peel off those stubborn pounds. A quick-fix, low carb diet may help you with short-term weight loss but dieters often complain that when they come off the diet, the weight piles straight back on. Making long-term changes to your diet will benefit your health in the long run. EB Fri, 02 Dec 2005 16:51:02 EST