What the Heck is a Carbohydrate?

“What the heck is a carbohydrate?” was the first question I asked. Yes, I’ve read it on labels and other places, but I wanted to know for sure why it is so important that I cut back on it.

About.com says, “Carbohydrates include foods composed of starches, sugar and/or fiber. They are the most common source of energy found in food. Most carbohydrates break down into glucose (a specific type of sugar).

“Examples of carbohydrates are: table sugar, fruit, milk, grains and vegetables.

“Proteins and fats make up the other two main sources of energy. They do not break down into glucose.”

“Carbohydrates break down into glucose (a type of sugar),” was the reason I needed to cut back as much as possible on sugar and carbohydrates as my triglycerides jumped sky high in the past year.

I was motivated to take charge of my health—not any pill if at all possible. The pill would be the last resort if changing my diet didn’t work.

I eliminated all white processed foods from my diet: white bread, white rice, potatoes, pasta, and sugar. The first two months I followed this plan all the time. Gradually, I added wheat bread, and wheat pasta to my diet. I found some substitutes for white potatoes, such as sweet potatoes, and broccoli or cauliflower mashed with mozzarella cheese.

The next thing was to learn how to eat slower and in moderation. I’ll share that in the next blog.

Joan Clout-Kruse, 18 lbs. Lighter today