12/16/2022
There are major differences in the health effects of different types of carbs, so they cannot all be lumped into one group. One way that carbs are classified is by the terms "simple" and "complex".
* Complex carbs: Carbs found in whole, unprocessed foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
* Simple carbs: Sugars and starches that have been refined and stripped of their natural fiber and nutrients.
Simple carbs are digested very quickly, which causes a spike in your blood sugar. The blood sugar spike stimulates your pancreas to release a large dose of insulin, which often leads to a blood sugar "crash," leaving you hungry and craving more sugar.
Fiber-rich, complex carbs take much longer to bread down than simple carbs. This helps keep blood sugar levels steady, as sugar reaches the blood stream gradually. Because complex carbs are digested more slowly, they provide sustained energy and help you feel full for longer.