2. Refined, white carbs
In much the same way as sweets and sugary treats, white bread, pasta and rice are high in sugar. Surprised? We know! All sugars are a type of carbohydrate, and therefore, carbohydrate rich foods such as bread and pasta, contain sugars. But not all carbs are created equal.
Carbohydrates in their natural state are complex molecules, that are broken down during the process of digestion into their constituent parts – sugar. White carbs, such as white bread, rice and pasta have been refined to remove the wheatgerm. The wheatgerm contains important nutrients such as the B vitamins that supply energy, as well as bran and fibre that support a healthy gut.
But not only does this refining process strip the foods of their valuable nutrients, it also turns them into fairly simple molecules and this makes them quicker to digest – very quickly flooding the bloodstream with sugar. And as if this isn’t bad enough, this sugar high is quickly replaced by a sugar low, meaning that we’ll crave the next hit, and reach for the nearest calorific, sugary treat.
Brown pasta, bread and rice contains the wheatgerm and are broken down into sugars much more slowly, helping to better regulate blood sugar levels and hunger, and are a much healthier option.
