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Complex and simple are terms that refer to the chemical structure of the carbohydrate molecule. Complex carbs are chains of three or more sugars, while simple carbs consist of one or two sugars. Unfortunately, knowing whether a carb is complex or simple has no value in terms of its nutritional quality. What matters is how fast a carbohydrate is digested and how much it raises one's blood sugar. Some simple carbs are digested very slowly and do not raise blood sugar while some complex carbs are digested very rapidly and spike blood sugar.
Why do so many websites and experts claim that complex carbs are better because they take longer to digest and use more calories? In part, this is because some people confuse complex vs. simple with whole or natural vs. processed. It is true that foods like vegetables tend to have lots of fibers and beneficial nutrients while processed food often lacks these. However, while it is sometimes possible to guess, the effect of a food on one's blood sugar can only be determined by observation.
Fortunately, we have begun to make those observations. A system called the glycemic index rates carbohydrates in comparison with how quickly pure glucose (or white bread as a substitute) raises blood sugar. You can find the glycemic index values online.
An excellent source of information on this is the Harvard Nutrition Source. Read their article on Carbohydrates for a full explanation of this issue.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoYou receive your complex carbohydrates from foods such as fruit and vegtables. They are complex because your body has to work harder to turn them into usuable energy. This means that they will keep you fuller and you will use the calories you eat to absorb them. You want to stay away from simple sugars which the body easily uses to make energy and stores the remaining about as fat
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoCarbohydrates break down the sugars and give you energy.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoBecause complex carbohydrates takes longer for the body to digest and therefore raises the blood sugar more evenly.
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Should you eat more carbohydrates to become fat?
Yes, eat complex carbs such as whole wheat bread
How many carbohydrates should a person eat daily if they are not on a diet?
96
What happens to complex carbohydrates when you eat them?
They become glucose
What are the best complex carbohydrates to eat?
the best complex carbohydrates are polysaccharides these include bread, pastries, pasta, cakes, and biscuits. hope this helps x
How does carbohydrates from fruit affect your body?
carbohydrates from fruit is complex carboydrates that are good for you. so eat up!
Why shouldn't babies eat carbohydrates?
Babies should eat carbohydrates, and in fact needthem in their diet.Nobody should eat too many carbohydrates, of course.
Why is it important to eat a variety of carbohydrates?
It is important to eat a variety of carbohydrates because different carbohydrates impact the body in different ways. Simply carbohydrates give a body energy while complex carbohydrates have a high nutrient value.
What should a swimmer eat the night before swimming the 1500?
They should eat carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the body's main energy source. The morning of the race, you should eat proteins.
What kind of food should you eat to increase your penis size?
complex carbohydrates, such as:bananasbarleybeansbrown ricechickpeaslentilsnutsoatsparsnipspotatoesroot vegetablessweet cornwholegrain cerealswholemeal breadswholemeal cerealswholemeal flourwholemeal pasta
How do vegans eat a balanced diet?
Complex carbohydrates, protein, nuts and seeds, vegetables and fruits.
What carbohydrates should you eat lots of?
None.
What should football players eat before a game?
You should eat banana, but eat it about 2-3 hours before you eat. Another thing you can do is, the night before your football game, eat pasta. Pasta is rich in fiber and has a complex carbohydrates which is what athletes need.
