Carbohydrate basics in food
Basic carbohydrates are one of the most important things we can get from our food. It seems strange that an explanation as to why getting a good amount of starch in our daily diets, but the following text will be written with the assumption that you have been living in a cave for the past few years. (Yes, I know that is probably not true, but let us not worry about that right now as I am laboring under the assumption that you are supremely ignorant.)
The basic carbohydrates in our food our main source of fuel of our body. Unless you are still laboring under the old delusion that there are four basic food groups, you have probably at least seen a representation of the food pyramid that gives us a guide of what types of food we should all eat and approximately in what proportions. Chances are you know that grains are at the very bottom of this pyramid. Unlike most things a pyramid is used to represent, the things at the bottom of the food pyramid are more important. It's not showing their status as a food group, but rather their proportions.
A visual person or those who can read the servings alongside this nifty visual representation can see the basic carbohydrates contained in grains and cereals help keep the body going, of course, good nutrition means not ignoring the other groups in the food pyramid, but it does mean paying attention to how much you should have.
Basic carbohydrates also endure longer in the body than the complex carbohydrates found in most candies, sodas, and cakes. Eating this supplies the body with a quick rush of energy, but as anyone who has ever experienced a sugar rush knows, this quick burst does not last terribly long and you will feel tired and run down afterwards.
Eating a candy bar or sugary food for a quick boost of energy is all right for time to time especially when it is needed, but eating foods with simple (or for our purposes) basic carbohydrates will keep you going throughout the day. Regardless of your activity level, foods rich in basic carbohydrates should make up at least 50% of your caloric intake. Of course, how many calories you need to take in depends on your activity level.
People may tend to cut down on carbohydrates to increase their overall energy level, and this may or may not work, but focusing instead of taking in the right kind of basic carbohydrates is more important. Making sure you get enough basic carbohydrates in your food is important as well. If you love Italian foods, you're probably getting more than enough by eating pasta on a daily basis. Now that I have probably insulted your intelligence for long enough you can stop pretending that you are living in a cave and let your life get back to normal. I'm sure you're eager to do that rather than be lectured about basic carbohydrates in your diet.
