What are Carbohydrates?

We are always bombarded with so much information that we tend to say I don’t understand this so how can I start to eat more sensibly.

I believe that we all need small amounts of information given in easy to understand formulas.

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for working your muscles. If you take in too many and do not expend your energy by being active you will store the excess as FAT!

There are two main sources of carbohydrates – starch such as cereals, pulses, rice, potatoes. Also there are sugars such as milk, fruits, jam, confectionary, table sugar and some soft drinks.

Starches account for almost 60% of total carbohydrates and sugars around 40% (average British Diet)

Why do we put on weight when we eat or drink too many carbohydrates?

An inactive person can only absorb calories at 2 per minute compared to an active person who can absorb between 3-8 calories per minute (these are only examples to aid comparison) We all burn fat even when we are sedentary, but, if we fill up on too many sugary drinks or sweet foods our body stops burning the fat and uses the energy in your consumed foods first. As there is a surplus of energy if your muscles and liver do not need it, the extra will be stored as fat.
So, too much energy in the diet with little or no exercise can lead to you becoming overweight irrespective of the type of food eaten.

The most important thing to remember is that if the amount of calories consumed are above the amount of calories needed to live and exercise on you will put on weight.

Sue Gardner