Boost Your Energy With Complex Carbohydrates in Your Diet

By Dennis R Blair

Without a doubt, most individuals would want to have high energy levels just to perform effective exercise routines just to have the ideal body shape they wish for. Usually, they excessively work themselves until their bodies become worn out. But, how do they endure all those exercises if they have low energy levels?

In order to stay fit and healthy, one must not only take into consideration having a consistent exercise routine, but they also have to consider a healthy diet. Eating is not a hindrance for a person who wants to have a perfectly shaped body. Eating is an integral part of this process. Eating complex carbs for energy is one way of enduring longer workouts.

We often hear most people saying that in order to have the ideal body shape, one must limit his or her food intake. However, according to most research it is not recommended. Our body needs food for energy, nevertheless, instead of limiting food intake, these people should try implementing a healthy diet?

What are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are a macronutrient that provides the body energy to endure the activities of daily living. They are made through the process of photosynthesis. Thus, making carbohydrates to be found in most plant sources. According to research, the only non-plant sources of carbohydrates are milk and milk products.

Basic Forms of Carbohydrates

1. Sugar- It is a simple carbohydrate which is usually absorbed in the bloodstream. Sugars are needed by the body cells in the form of glucose in order to perform such bodily processes as digestion. Sugars can either be:

a. Monosaccharide- single sugar

b. Disaccharide-double units or sugar

2. Starch- This is commonly known as a complex carbohydrate. It is a chain of sugar that is quickly digested by the body needed for energy. It is believed that complex carbs and energy are directly proportional. This means that if there is an increase of complex carbs, there will also be an increase in the energy level in our body. This especially helps those who are working out.

3. Dietary Fiber- This is the most complex form of carbohydrate. It can be soluble or insoluble.

Although carbohydrates come in different forms, they are still functionally similar. Carbohydrates are readily transformed to energy needed for any physical activity and basic body processes. According to research, one gram weight of carbohydrates yields 4 kcal of physical energy. Carbohydrate consumption also spares digesting proteins for energy, since the latter plays an important role in building and repairing worn out muscle tissue which can help with burning fat for energy. Lastly, carbohydrates as sugars may have a laxative effect.

Complex Carbohydrates as Energy

In general, carbohydrates are undeniably the important source of energy for most athletes and people who exercise. Carbs provide energy in order to stimulate the muscles to contract. Ingested carbohydrates will be broken down into simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose and galactose that are easily stored and used as energy. Glucose not used by the body will be stored in the muscles and the liver in the form of glycogen. Excess glycogen will also be stored as fat.

Unlike simple carbohydrates, complex carbs are longer to digest and absorbed by the body. It also takes a longer time to metabolize; thus, energy to be provided is very slow compared to simple sugars. As mentioned earlier, both starch and dietary fiber are examples of complex carbs, but it is proven that starch is the best source of energy needed by athletes because it is metabolized and is being stored as glycogen.

Dennis Blair is a Fort Collins Personal Trainer whose programs help those in Fort Collins, Colorado lose weight, gain lean muscle tissue and have more energy. You can find out more about these programs by going to Fort Collins Personal Training.

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