10 New Weight Loss and Diet Myths and Facts
Is it a no-no to eat after 8 PM? Discover the real answer to this question and more
You gain weight when you consume more calories than your body burns. And yet, not all calories are the same. It's really the good carb/bad carb distinction. "Bad carbohydrates (refined simple sugars) are rapidly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream," celebrity nutritionist Paula Simpson explains. "If there is a high concentration of blood sugars (hyperglycemia), then [the excess sugars] can be stored as fat." The fiber in good carbohydrates helps slow down the rate of digestion, controlling blood sugar levels, which results in a longer window of time during which the body can burn the calories from those good carbohydrates before the excess is stored as fat.
Capitalize on the facts: Eat more complex carbohydrates -- fruits, vegetables and whole grains -- and try to avoid simple sugars like candy and soda and any of the "white" foods like regular pasta, potatoes and bread. Need another reason to choose good carbs over bad? Simpson points out that the fluctuations in blood sugar levels caused by the rapid digestion of simple carbohydrates can make you feel tired and can mess with your appetite control regulation. That can't be good for those of us who already feel like our appetites are out of control.
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