We are all aware that a balanced meal should contain nutrients derived from proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates all of which should feature on your plate at every meal.

Now, most people who are watching their weight decide to cut carbohydrates -popularly known as carbs- from their diet completely which is a wrong move. Cutting carbs from your diet means that your body will just not function 100% as it should. Carbs are nutrients that are needed by the body in large amounts.

How carbohydrates work

The digestive system changes carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar). Some of this glucose is used for energy and the rest is stored in the liver and muscles for later use.

When your blood sugar rises, your pancreas pumps out more insulin, a hormone that tells cells to absorb glucose for energy or storage. As cells absorb the glucose, blood sugar levels begin to fall, which signals the pancreas to start making glucagon, a hormone that tells the liver to release stored glucose.

It is important to note that there are two types of carbs, complex and simple.

Simple carbohydrates or simple sugars, include sugars found in fruits, vegetables and milk and the sugars added during processing of food.

Complex carbohydrates or Starches contain fiber which helps the digestive health and increases satiety, reduces overeating , weight gain help lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease. These complex carbohydrate foods include whole-grain breads and cereals, starchy vegetables and legumes.

From the two types of carbohydrates, we can see that some carbohydrates are better for your health than others making it mandatory to choose your carbs wisely.

Carbohydrates are popularly known as the Energy-giving foods.

Once in the body the Carbohydrates contain the body’s source of fuel that is needed for:

Brain function

Operation of the organs

Physical activity

Important for intestinal health

Important for waste elimination

All cells and tissues in your body need carbohydrates

Cutting carbohydrates from your diet may leave you suffering from crankiness, sluggishness, diminished energy and physical fatigue, mild depression and ketosis.