http://www.lowcarbwizard.com/carbohydrates/complex.html Complex carbohydrates are the good guys. Simple carbs are the bad guys. Learning the difference between complex carbohydrates and simple carbohydrates doesn't have to be complex. en-us Tue, 23 Aug 2005 16:08:28 EDT Tue, 23 Aug 2005 16:08:28 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 Complex Carbohydrates Aren't So Complex Complex carbohydrates are found in foods that have a lot of fiber, and therefore, are harder for your body to digest. Because they are harder to digest, it takes a long time for them to digest, so you feel full longer. Your mom was right when she told you to eat your fruits and vegetables! They're loaded with complex carbohydrates, as are whole wheat and whole grain products. The beauty of it is that to eat healthier without going on a low carb diet, you can make simple dietary changes. Instead of eating white bread, eat whole wheat or whole grain bread. Instead of regular pasta, try whole wheat. Instead of white rice, try brown rice or long grain rice. Instead of regular flour tortillas, try whole wheat. Instead of eating chips and crackers, eat pre-cut fresh veggies. And finally, instead of sugary snacks and desserts, eat fresh fruit. Another benefit of complex carbohydrates is that they tend to keep your blood sugar stable, which means your body doesn't have to produce a lot of extra insulin, and extra insulin production leads to weight gain. Simply Put, Why Bad Carbs are Bad Simple carbohydrates are the opposite of complex carbohydrates. They are much easier for your body to break down and digest, so you'll experience a sugar high for a while, but then you'll suddenly crash and feel tired. You'll also be hungry again, which will prompt you to eat again, and without knowing better, you're likely to eat more carbs--simple carbs, that is. Most snacks are made with refined sugar and sometimes even white flour (think cake). It's easy to make healthier choices when it comes to carbohydrates, but some of the substitutions you can make aren't part of what we know as a mainstream diet. That's how so many people have gained weight. Who would have thought a bagel for breakfast could be detrimental? At one time, weren't they touted as a healthy food? Well, put your plain bagel down and opt for a whole wheat or whole grain bagel instead! Seriously, some of the substitutions we mentioned above really aren't so bad. You can't even tell the difference most of the time. But one difference you will notice when you start switching from simple carbohydrates to complex carbohydrates is that you'll have more energy and feel less hungry. Bon Appetite! Tue, 23 Aug 2005 16:08:28 EDT