What is the Difference Between Good Carbs and Bad Carbs?

The difference between good carbs and bad carbs lies in their structure, digestion, and nutritional value. Here are the key differences:

Good Carbs:

• Also known as complex carbs, they are found in whole grains, brown rice, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.
• Contain fiber and nutrients that promote a healthy digestive system and metabolism.
• Digested slowly, resulting in a steady release of glucose and preventing spikes in blood sugar.
• Help maintain a healthy diet and provide numerous vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Bad Carbs:

• Also known as simple carbs, they have many necessary nutrients removed and are found in processed foods as starches and sugars.
• Digested quickly, causing spikes in blood sugar and making you feel hungry sooner.
• Lead to overeating, weight gain, and other health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Contain "hollow" calories, providing energy but no nutrients, and excess energy is stored as body fat.

Examples of good carbs include whole grains, brown rice, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, while bad carbs are found in white bread, enriched or refined pasta, pastries, white rice, and sugary sodas. To maintain a healthy diet, it is advised to reduce the overall amount of carbs from 55% of calories to below 40% and replace refined carbs with lean protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fats from vegetable sources.

Comparative Table: Good Carbs vs Bad Carbs

Here is a table comparing the differences between good carbs and bad carbs:

Good carbs, also known as complex carbohydrates, are found in unprocessed whole foods and provide a steady source of energy and essential nutrients. On the other hand, bad carbs, or simple carbohydrates, are found in processed foods and can cause spikes in blood sugar, leading to hunger and potential weight gain.