Carb Club

Go Go Go!

Carbohydrates are the foods that our bodies need to obtain energy. They are our GO foods.

Often times carbohydrates are given a bad name and are commonly one of the first foods that are excluded when one tries to eat healthy or lose weight. It is not only possible, but also vital to keep carbohydrates in your diet regardless of what your dietary goal is.

Function of carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are converted into glucose which fuels our bodies. Carbohydrates are stored in our muscles as ‘glycogen’- which is essentially stored energy that our body uses for when we need it i.e. if we are fasting or starving. A rapid reduction in carbohydrate intake can lead to negative gut health and constipation.

Types of carbohydrates

There are two types of carbohydrates, namely: simple and complex carbohydrates.

Simple carbohydrates- these are rapidly broken down in the body and cause a fast spike in energy. These are generally found in processed foods such as: white bread, sweets, sugary beverages, sweets and chocolates. These foods often have a high glycemic index (GI).

Complex carbohydrates-these are broken down slowly in the body, giving us long- lasting energy. These are generally found in wholegrain foods and vegetables such as: brown bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, potatoes and pumpkin. These foods often have a lower glycemic index (GI).

What does the Glycaemic Index of a carbohydrate mean?

Glycaemic Index( GI) of a food is how quickly a food is digested and absorbed by the body. Low GI foods break down slowly and provide our bodies with energy over a long period of time. High GI foods break down quickly and cause a sudden spike in blood glucose levels, followed by a rapid drop in these levels, leaving us feeling tired and irritable.