FRIDAY FACTDAY
All about carbohydrates
Ooh, carbs! We have a love-hate relationship with it.
There are various myths circulating about carbohydrates. But, don't worry, we'll already discuss some of them below so that you as a Munch babe know what it's really like ;-).
But first things first, what are carbohydrates anyway? Carbohydrates provide fuel to our bodies and are found in many foods. Well-known examples as a source of carbohydrates are: grain products such as bread and pasta, but also rice and bananas.
However, not all carbohydrates are created equal, there are simple and complex carbohydrates. Single ones contain one or two molecules. They occur, for example, in fruit. The multiple are also called complex carbohydrates. Yet it is actually not that difficult at all; the multiple ones consist of chains of simple carbohydrates.
Now on to the fables, we already give you three fables about carbohydrates!
Myth: Carbs make you fat
Surprise, surprise but this is a fable! Although we often hear it, carbohydrates in themselves don't make you fat at all! It is actually very simple: our body works on energy and obtains it from various nutrients. When we take in (or eat) more energy than we burn, it is converted into fat. And then of course we come to.
So it is not the carbohydrates that make us fat, but an excess of calories.
Myth: All carbohydrates are the same
We already told you more about the different types of carbohydrates above.
But did you know that there are also digestible and indigestible carbohydrates? In the food industry, digestible carbohydrates are also called glycemic carbohydrates, or very simply: fast carbohydrates. When our body processes 'fast' carbohydrates, they are converted into glucose (an important energy supplier ;-). As a result, our blood sugar level will rise quickly, but also fall again quickly. Result: you are hungry again. Examples of 'fast' carbohydrates are, for example, candy or soft drinks.
Indigestible carbohydrates or slow carbohydrates are not digested by our body. “Then why should I eat them?” you are probably asking yourself. Well, slow carbohydrates are important for our gastrointestinal system. You can find them in whole wheat pasta, oats, quinoa and vegetables. Because they are often rich in fiber, they are also extra healthy because fiber ensures a longer feeling of satiety, so less hunger again!
Myth: You can only lose weight if you follow a low-carbohydrate diet
In short, carbohydrates are not as bad for us as their reputation makes out. Nevertheless, we would like to emphasize the importance of a balanced lifestyle. A balanced and healthy diet is still the best ;-).