Day 12

What is a carbohydrate?

There are two types of carbohydrates--simple sugars and complex starches--and they are everywhere: in some dairy products, legumes, nuts, seeds, beverages, vegetables, grain products, fruits, and cereals. Our bodies need carbohydrates for fuel. The digestive system breaks down the carbohydrates in food into glucose, which is then distributed to the muscles for energy. Carbohydrate-rich foods are diet staples because they are abundant and cheap (compared to meat, poultry, and fish). We use them to stretch our meals and, best of all, they make us feel full. Caution: Following the trip to the muscles, the glucose then parks in the liver and fat cells. Mainstream women's magazines talk a lot about eating pasta, beans, and baked potatoes, and it's OK for you to take their advice if you're exercising regularly and if you do not have a sensitivity to carbohydrates. Otherwise, you're going to have a lot of big, energized fat cells on your thighs!

Like my mama used to say, moderation in all things is the key to health and happiness.