Good Carbs and Bad Carbs - What They Mean For Your Weight Loss Plans

Carbohydrates are the subject of much debate and discussion in the diet industry these days. Many people are of the opinion that eating lots of carbs is bad and will lead to increased weight gain. However, it is important to differentiate between good and bad carbs when deciding on a diet plan. Good carbohydrates will be the source of energy and nutrition and make up an important part of anyone's diet. Typically found in processed foods, bad carbohydrates will only serve to make you fatter and unhealthy.

Knowing where to find the good and bad carbs is an important first step. Good carbohydrates are typically present in natural foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole meal pasta and whole grain wheat. These foods take longer to digest and hence are less likely to be put on as fat. They're also high in fiber content which means that they will be able to keep you feeling full for longer.

On the other side of the coin are the bad carbohydrates that you should be careful to keep to a minimum in your diet. Many of the foods that contain bad carbs are processed or contain high levels of added sugar. These bad carb foods include chips, white bread, candies, biscuits and cakes. While these kinds of foods are sure to give you a quick burst of energy their low nutritional value and low fiber content means they will be quickly put on facts. As well as causing weight gain, these kinds of foods are likely to help cause additional health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

Any healthy and balanced diet should contain a good quota of carbohydrates, but knowing the difference between the good carbs and the bad carbs can make or break your diet.