With the increased popularity of Low Carbohydrate Diets or Low Carb Diets like the Atkins Diet, there has been a lot of talk about carbohydrates.

So what is a carbohydrate? In nutrition, carbohydrates (also called carbs or carbos) are a very large group of sugars and starches.

Very simply, carbohydrates supply the body with the energy it needs to function.

There are two types of carbohydrates: Simple Carbohydrates and Complex Carbohydrates.

Simple carbohydrates are broken down extremely fast by the body so they can be used as energy. Simple carbohydrates are found in foods such as fruits, milk, and milk products. They are also found in processed sugars and refined sugars such as candy, table sugar, syrups, and soft drinks.

Complex carbohydrates are made up of sugar molecules that are strung together in long complex chains. Complex carbohydrates are found in foods such as peas, beans, whole grains, and vegetables. Foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates provide vitamins and minerals that are important to in maintaining good health. Most of your carbohydrate intake should come from complex carbohydrates (starches) and naturally occurring sugars instead of processed or refined sugars.

Refined carbohydrates refer to complex carbohydrates (starches) that have had the bran, hull, fiber and some nutrients removed from the grain during processing – foods such as white bread, white pasta, white rice, pretzels, some cereals, and baked goods such as cakes, cookies etc. Although many refined carbohydrates are “enriched” after processing, meaning nutrients such as iron and some B vitamins are replaced, other important nutrients are NOT replaced. By choosing a diet high in refined carbs, you may be missing out on A LOT of important nutrients.

Both simple and complex carbohydrates are turned into glucose within the body and are used as energy. The glucose is then used in the cells of the body and in the brain. Any unused glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen for use later.

It is recommended that somewhere between 40 to 60% of our total calories come from carbohydrates, preferably from complex carbohydrates (starches) and naturally occurring sugars rather than processed or refined sugars.

Excessive carbohydrates can cause an increase in the total caloric intake, causing obesity. Deficient carbohydrates can cause a lack of calories (malnutrition), or excessive intake of fats to make up the calories.