Simple vs Complex Carbs

Many of us are always trying to lean down, cut out the fat, show the abs, etc.  Anyone who doesn't or isn't is probably not being truthful. But overall, the idea of how to get there is daunting.  Eat no carbs, eat low-carb, count calories, work out, should I use weights or do cardio, how much water should I drink, should I eat less meals or more meals, on and on and on. Let's start simple, or complex as it were. What is the difference between simple carbs and complex carbs? 

Simple carbs are things like candy, soda, juice, and the like.  The idea is that they can be used right away for energy, but they also spike your blood glucose levels, and that's when you experience the crash. You know the crash, the kind you have mid-afternoon where you want to curl up under your desk, George Constanza-style.  Simple carbs can be good before an intense cardio work out but they actually make you feel hungrier and more tired otherwise.  

Complex carbs take longer to digest, and you can typically find them in wheat breads (not enriched, whole grain is ideal), vegetables, and fruits.  They are more slowly broken down and usually don't get absorbed and converted to fat as quickly.  And they typically have more fiber, which is a good thing.  

• High-carb foods cause a rapid rise in blood sugar.
• This blood sugar causes the body to produce insulin, which carries nutrients to cells.
• Our cells use this sugar for energy.
• If you have too much of this sugar, it is stored as fat. 

Here are my recommendations to start with: get rid of white.  White pasta, bread, etc.  Try eating wheat (duram) pasta, bread (again, NOT enriched wheat), and lots of veggies.  And drink lots of water - I have heard theories ranging from half of your body weight in ounces, so if you're 200lbs, you drink 100 ounces of water.  Some people say the 8-8 ounce glasses theory, and others just go by the color of their pee, clear means you're hydrated or on the right path. I'm not a doctor so do your research.  Much of this information I have known for years, and I do try to follow it.  I did incorporate some information as I found elements of this from here.  

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