What is the Role of Carbohydrates in Your Diet and Health

A healthy diet is important for everyone. Whether you have subscribed to services of NDIS meals providers or you are dieting, you need to be aware of the nutrient content of your diet. Your body needs proteins, vitamins and many other nutrients to create energy. Each nutrient has a role to play in your body. In this article, you will learn about white crabs and complex carbs. 

Carbohydrates 101

As they provide a good amount of energy, carbs are really healthy. You get dietary fibre for significant health benefits. However, you might have also heard of terms such as ‘starchy carbs’, ‘complex carbs, ‘refined carbs’ and ‘white carbs’. Carbohydrates are made up of sugars, scratches and fibre. Wholegrain, vegetables and fruits are great sources of fibre. Vegetables, legumes and grains are good sources of scratches. Soft drinks, chocolate and other processed foods, milk and milk products and fruits are good sources of sugars.   

White or Refined Carbs

a). Wheat

If you want to consume carbohydrates in natural, whole grain form then wheat is the right choice. Wheat is a good source of selenium, iron, vitamin B groups and vitamin E. However, it is deprived of its key nutrients when it is processed and refined to obtain white flour. White pasta, white bread and other foods that contain refined white flour are not good for heart health. It lowers High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol and increases triglycerides. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol removes bad cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein) from your body. 

b). Rice and Potatoes

White rice is obtained after brown rice is milled and polished. It is then quick to cook and you also get a softer texture. However, this processing removes most of its fibre, iron and vitamin content. White potatoes provide you with nutrients like vitamin C and potassium. However, the high glycemic index is not good for your health. This can lead to weight gain and high risk of heart diseases. You can consume complex carbohydrates in the place of refined carbohydrates. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

• The fibre content of good carbohydrates (complex carbs) is high. Therefore, your body digests good carbohydrates slowly. Beans, vegetables, fruit, pasta and whole-grain bread are some of the foods that contain good carbohydrates.
• The fibre and nutrients content of bad carbohydrates is low. Therefore, your body digests refined or white carb (bad cholesterol) rapidly. Processed sugar foods, white rice, white potatoes, white bread and generic baked foods are sources of bad carbohydrates.

Conclusion

It is good to check the nutrient content of NDIS meals. You should avoid white potatoes, white pasta, white bread, white rice and other foods that contain refined carbs. You must make healthy food choices to live a healthy life.