Why Carbohydrates Are Important for Your Diet

Learn about the best carbohydrate choices for diet and weight loss.

What Are Carbohydrates?

Your body uses these foods to make glucose, the body's main energy source. Glucose is a type of sugar you get from the foods you eat that can be used right away for energy or stored away to be used later.

Carbohydrates are a good source of many vitamins and minerals that provide fuel for the central nervous system and energy the body needs. Carbohydrates also prevent protein from  being used as an energy source and enable fat metabolism.

Simple vs. complex carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are classified as simple or complex. The difference between two is how quickly the sugar is absorbed and digested and its chemical structure. Generally,simple carbs are digested and absorbed more quickly and easily than complex carbs.

Simple carbohydrates (monosaccharides) contain just one or two sugars, such as fructose (found in fruits) and galactose (found in milk products). 

Simple carbs are also in soda, candy and syrups. However, these foods are made with processed and refined sugars and don't have vitamins, minerals or fiber. These foods are "empty calories" and can lead to weight gain.

Complex carbohydrates have three or more sugars. These sugars are called polysaccharides. They are often referred to as starchy foods and include peas, beans, peanuts, potatoes, corn, lentils,  parsnips, cereals  and whole-grain breads.

Low-Carb Diets and Weight Loss

One of the best weight-loss guidelines is to reduce sources of simple sugars such as soda, cakes, cookies, sweets, candies,  and similar snack foods. Choose foods with no or few grams of sugar.

 You will lose weight, if you choose a low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss and take in fewer calories. These diets involve eating less pasta and bread and more vegetables, fruits, and meat.

Eat the Right Carbohydrates for Weight Loss

Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, which can add variety, color, and flavor to meals. Whole grains such as wheat, corn tortillas, and brown rice are great sources of healthy carbohydrates. Check the nutritional label for carbohydrate information which includes total carbohydrates.