Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are chains of sugar molecules. They can be simple or complex. Simple have 1 or 2 molecules and Complex have 3 or more.
Carbohydrates are found in real and man-made foods. I actually had been a nurse for a while before I learned that some foods I had no idea were carbohydrates. I needed to put together a picture board for a mentally challenged person with diabetes. As I research I was surprised to find our that a potato was a carb, It seems ridiculous now but I need to remember that people who do not research nutrition may not know what others of us take for granted. Many of you know more than Jim and I do and that is what makes sharing so wonderful.
Simple and complex carbohydrates are both broken down in the digestive track to one-sugar molecules. So all Carbs are sugar. Simple process fast. Complex process slower.
Whole grains, starchy vegetables, fruits, most dairy products, breads, cereals, pasta, and sweets are all carbohydrates.
Our bodies use carbohydrates for energy so the amount of carbohydrates we put into our body should match our activity level.
The amount of carbohydrates you should eat a day depends on your activity level, whether your body is sensitive to insulin and can use it properly or whether you are insulin resistant and pre-diabetic or diabetic. Are your adrenal glands burnt out? (That is another topic)
If you are insulin sensitive and your adrenal glands are working properly and you are active, not sedentary, you should have 30 – 35 grams of carbohydrates with each meal and 15 with each snack.
Remember if you are homesteading and working vigorously in the garden and with the animals you NEED to eat at least 30 carbs per meal to keep up your energy level that you are using up.
In the blog this week you will find how food is broken down into grams of carbs so you have an idea of what to eat.
|