Carbohydrates are known to be the body's main source of fuel. Fats are also know as fuel reserves as the body however they don't burn just like carbohydrates. The misconception that fats are better fuel sources is somehow false. Fats are known to pack 9 calories per gram which makes them a concentrated sources of fuel. Carbohydrates are known to be the body's preferred and readily available sources of energy. Restricting carbohydrates in the body may compromise energy levels as well as performance. Short, high intensity activities like weight lifting use glycogen, which is a by product of carbohydrates, for energy. If glycogen is not available because of a low carbohydrate diet, the body taps on its fat reserves to provide the fuel necessary to complete the activity. Fats, however, are less efficient fuel sources and therefore compromise performance. It will therefore make your workouts suffer causing you to have lesser chances of burning fats through exercise.
There are two main types of carbohydrates. These are the simple and complex types. There are several sub types under these two. There will be spikes in blood sugar in simple carbs causing insulin production to be stimulated. Because of the large amount of circulating blood sugar, a commensurate amount of insulin is released. Once the body has cleared out the glucose, it will crave for more sugar, and the cycle begins anew. This cycle will be repeated several times a day and will eventually lead to fat storage. Complex carbohydrates can either be starchy or fibrous. They are harder to digest and provide a stabilizing effect to blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates have a higher thermic effect and provide more volume. Fibrous carbohydrates like vegetables are dense and low caloric which makes them ward off hunger longer than simple ones.
The most important differentiation between carbohydrates is whether it is refined or natural. Complex carbohydrates become simple ones when they are refined or processed. That's why refined sugar, white breads, enriched pastas and pretzels shouldn't be in your list of foods to eat. They have undergone so much processing that the body finds them so easy to break down and digest, leaving you craving for more.
The types of carbohydrates you consume determine its effects on your fat loss plan. True, it all goes back to the amount of calories you take in. However, the right kinds of carbohydrates give as good as it gets. Unlike the wrong ones, it allows you to use it in a way that supports your fat loss plan.
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