Many of us believe we are making a healthy choice when we choose to eat 70% or more raw food. However there are different types of carbohydrate that are used in our food manufacturing processes. In undressed state they are simply carbohydrate that has lost the properties of all the starches and sugars, even the simple sugars. They are simply the monosaccharides fructose and galactose that are often referred to as disaccharides.
Indeed it might not sound too complicated but in reality it is rather complex. Starches and sugars are molecules that have a lot in common. Indeed they even seem to be similar due to the fact that they have similar chemical structures. But there are huge differences between them.
From the simple sugars that are provided by plants as well as honey, we get simple carbohydrates that are the product of several different processes. Plant endorphins give plants the sensation of being “offering” sweet by releasing an opiate of some sort that the brain eventually breaks down to give you a feeling of pleasure.
The simple sugars are provided by plants as well as fruit. Fruit does not contain any calories at all, in fact it is simply the product of the fructose being stored by the body in its parts. When you eat the fruit, you get the fructose, and when the body has had enough it stores it in its liver in a form that is ready for storage.
The long chains of fructose molecules that are not bound in the lumps are called simple carbohydrates that have been boxed in the above two sections.
The length of the “box” is important because you cannot absorb the fructose molecules by your body without the box being part of the food you are eating. You will not absorb fructose molecules and they will go into your liver as a form of simple sugar called “fructose syrup”, or it ends up being stored as fat in your fat cells. There are many researchers that believe that fructose is the main cause for the increase in elevated average blood sugar levels and elevated levels of waist circumference.
Now simply put, if you want to have elevated your blood sugar levels, elevated levels of waist circumference and increased levels of triglycerides, a high fructose diet is the way to go. You can tell by the increase in incidence of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and cancers, especially gastrointestinal cancer. To make matters worse there are studies that show that fructose even increases triglyceride levels, adding to the problem on multiple levels. You can never reduce the consumption of simple sugars or antioxidants for that matter, if you want to keep your blood sugar levels normal.
Complex carbohydrates, especially those that come from whole grains, provide a variety of benefits as well. There is nothing magical about complex carbohydrates except that they have less sugar, and less processed sugar, than the simple sugar calories that come from refined carbohydrates do. However with a well-balanced balance comes a longer lasting feeling of satiety.
Your body may tell you when you are full, but if you are eating a couple of plates of brown rice, an apple and a salad you will never know. Complex carbohydrates can provide you with a feeling of fullness and energy and will sustain you until your next meal or snack.
Fibers, unlike simple carbohydrates, do not provide a feeling of fullness, only a feeling of energy. Like proteins, fibrous foods play a key role in keeping your blood sugar levels stable and not going too far up or too far down. With so many available sources it is important to have all the different types of fibers to have a balance in your diet. Many of the fiber sources that have a lot of carbohydrates are also very high in calories. Therefore, you need to eat these foods in moderation, together with your high fat and protein rich foods.
Eating fiber is one of the best ways to avoid weight gain and yes, you heard that right, you will lose weight if you always eat more fiber than anyone else. Not only do you get the benefit of lessens hunger but you also tend to eat less of the high calorie foods stimulated by fiber. If you would like to enhance your fibers” effect on your weight loss, eat them on the same day you would usually consume them.
