"It's Sunday, one day before my diet officially starts. So I'm taking the steps to fully prepare myself for the week. Meal planning, shopping, preparing foods if I can. I'm already tired and only have begun the day just thinking about the imminent changes about to unfold in 24 hours. I don't know why? It's not like I haven't started a diet before. Maybe I'm already setting myself up to fail and don't even realize yet? I know I don't want this to be like any other diet. I know I want this to be a lifestyle change, but everywhere I look I see temptation! Those foods I enjoy seem to be more apparent then ever before! Cookies, ice cream, French Toast, Spaghetti, fresh bread with butter. Ha ha ok I get the point! I enjoy foods, maybe just too much of the wrong foods? As I say that knowing my husband brought home oreo cookies from the store and I will have a few before tomorrow cause eating healthy starts tomorrow. I'm not going to lie, this happens to me all the time. It's a cycle that is hard to break. This time though I'm determined to break it and keep telling myself this is not any old diet this is a life style change, for myself as well as setting good examples for my kids. I can still eat the sugars and breads I enjoy, just just not the same way I have been doing. It's going to be a learning process, mind game and experimenting with different foods/recipes until I find my new favorite foods that are actually benefitting my body to be healthier and stronger. What's the worst that could happen? I might actually like or do I dare say crave healthy foods over those I do today like my chips and breads? For now I don't believe that could ever happen, but I do hope that I can learn to continue to eat foods that benefit me then hurt me.
With that being said I have been given the task of exploring simple carbs vs: complex carbs. I wasn't really knowledgeable about those terms and what foods were what. I had to do a quick search before going shopping here so I make sure I pick up the right foods. What I realized is my family eats more simple carbs: white breads, white rice, sugar and other sweets. I've been know to make highly processed foods, even pasta's. What makes me so hesitant to eat foods that are made with whole grain breads, legumes, cereals, whole grain pastas, vegetables, fruits, or brown rice?
I have always done a no carb or low carb diet because I was under the impression that all carbs are bad. How come no one talks about these healthy carbs? I'm excited to transition my family from eating simple carbs to more complex ones even though I feel like I'm already cheating on my diet before I've started. Why is this change so uncomfortable? I'm not really sure what the benefit of eating these Complex carbs in my diet vs:cutting carbs completely out? I just hope it aids at helping me archive my ultimate goal of losing 40 lbs.. Here I go!"
- SuperMom
So, the reason complex carbs are good and simple carbs are bad is that simple carbs break down into sugar very easily in the body. They have almost no nutrients and vitamins, and because they break down so easily, they lead to spikes in insulin levels. When the insulin level drops, appetite triggers prompt you to eat something (usually sugary) again to raise it. So eating simple carbs causes a snowball effect of sugar cravings. The extra sugar not used for energy gets converted to fat for future energy use.
Complex carbs are nutrient rich, and not as easily broken down. They are high in fiber, so keeping you full longer, and because they aren't as easily broken down, they don't cause the spike in insulin levels.
Carbs are our body's main energy source. Cutting out carbs completely will cause a rapid weight loss for about 1-2 weeks because carbs absorb water. The rapid weight loss is no more than water weight. Once carbs are reintroduced, the body will horde them because it has gone into preservation mode. That's why people who do a carb cutting diet tend to gain it back and then some.
So switching to complex carbs from simple carbs keeps cravings away, aids digestion, and makes you healthier from the vitamins and nutrients. It takes your body about three days to adjust to the switch, but after three days you'll notice a marked difference in your energy level and reduced cravings. Also note, if you eat a sweet, you'll crave sweets all day. So if you crave a sweet, eat a fruit or a handful of nuts. It will fix your insulin levels without setting you up for another crash. I always have nuts in my car or some apples to keep me on track.
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