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The Healthy Baking Company |
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Carbo Know How |
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What are carbohydrates? Carbohydrates are our main source of metabolic energy. Carbohydrates come in two basic forms: simple and complex. The simple ones, like glucose and fructose, are found in whole fruits, vegetables, and confections. They are sweet and made of 1 or 2 sugar molecules linked together. The complex ones, also called starches, are found mostly in grains and vegetables. These are pleasant but not sweet and consist of hundreds or thousands of sugar molecules linked together. Are some carbohydrates superior? Yes. Carbohydrates that have a naturally high fiber content are the best suited for human nutrition. Examples are whole fresh fruits and vegetables like broccoli, leafy greens, legumes, carrots, apples, citrus, etc. The fiber content aids digestion, assimilation, and elimination. It slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, providing longer lasting energy without a dramatic spike that could trigger massive insulin release and stress the body. Are you running on empty? Processed carbohydrates like cereals, breads, crackers, cookies, sodas, fruit juice, and dairy products may be “empty” calories. Many of their minerals, enzymes, protein, and fiber have been stripped away, leaving carbohydrates that actually deplete your body’s store of these important nutrients in the digestion process. There are approximately 25,000 known but little understood micronutrients such as phytochemicals that may be lost in processing. Whole foods undergo little or no processing, retaining their naturally vast array of nutrients that help our bodies function smoothly and boost immunity. Why are low-carb diets (www.drkoop.com) popular today? Our bodies are literally sick from low-fiber, over-processed carbohydrates. But that’s what many Americans grew up with and that’s what is always in front of us at the grocery store. It’s difficult to wean ourselves off the instant gratification supplied by these “foods”. Our bodies attempt to control blood sugar levels by increasing insulin output from the pancreas. Over the years, this results in varying degrees of insulin resistance and the near-epidemic wave of related diseases we see today such as hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and heart disease. Why are California Suncakes and Heart Thrives a great source of carbohydrates? Suncakes’ and Heart Thrives' primary ingredient is whole oats, which contain all their natural soluble and insoluble fiber.
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