All carbs are not created equal!

There is a difference between good and bad carbohydrates. Good carbs (complex carbs) promote energy, brain health and healthy weight!  You can find good carbs in fruits, vegetables, dairy, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Notice that all the items listed are "clean eating" foods. Clean eating is pretty much food that has not been processed. Good carbs are also for the most part full of fiber, which keeps you full longer and aide in weight loss.

 Now for the bad carbs (simple carbs) highly refined sugary starchy processed foods like, white rice, white pasta, white breads, jelly, pudding, custards, sugary cereals, cakes, pies, condensed milk, etc. Bad carbs are anything that has empty calories with no nutritional value.

There are some simple "bad" carbs that are actually "good" for you like skim milk, fruits and vegetables. Some nutritionist will tell you they are complex carbs and others will disagree and put them on the simple carbs list. The reason these are on the simple carbs list is because the fructose (sugar) that goes directly into your bloodstream after consumption. The reason they are on the complex list is because they provide nutrients and are not empty calories...technically both theories are correct. Anywho, eat all the fruits and veggies that you want, unless you are diabetic. Drink skim milk for healthy bones! All other bad carbs should be eaten in moderation or in most instances replaced with a healthier option.

Ok. Let me break this down for you. Our bodies need carbohydrates for energy, muscle and brain health. Carbohydrates break down in our bodies as glucose. If your body has no use for extra energy.... in other words your inactive the glucose then transitions into glycogen. Glycogen is then stored in your muscles and liver as stored energy. As you become active throughout the day the glycogen releases as energy too you. If you do not use what's needed of your glycogen released it then converts to fat.Your body doesn't use all of the glycogen, if it did then you would go into ketosis and feel dizzy. Instead when your body uses what's needed of the glycogen it begins pulling energy from your fat storage.  I think I have this right.....nutrition wasn't my best subject.

Maximize your glycogen storage by eating "good carbs" more frequently 5 -6 times a day. In doing this you maximize loading carbs before a workout so that you have energy for the gym, swim class or a weight lifting session. It also maximizes muscle recovery after a workout so that you do not get muscle injuries.

So go get your good carb clean eating on!!!

Need to speed up your metabolism?

Exercising twice a day along with eating 5 - 6 meals every couple of hours will help speed up your metabolism. As we get older our metabolism slows down as a natural process to our bodies. If you exercise in the morning for 45-60 minutes your body will burn calories up to 12 hours throughout the day. Continue an exercise routine after work and you will burn calories an additional 12 hours. This means your body is burning calories 24 hours around the clock and your metabolism is speeding up simutaniously. Eat 5 - 6 meals throughout the day instead of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. When we wait more than 3 hours to eat we may be hungrier and tend to overeat the next time we eat. Spread these meals out so that you eat 200-350 calories per meal and your body will not think it's starving. Try it, it works!

Don't forget you fruits and veggies!!