Question:
What is the difference between Complex Carbs and regular Carbs?

Can anyone tell me what is the difference between the two? How many carbs is too many a day? Can you take in more complex carbs?    — wildchild (posted on July 31, 2003)

July 31, 2003
a REALLY good article that explains in plain language the complex vs. refined issue is located here: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/today/story_50351.asp
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 31, 2003
To answer the first part of your question in plain English, complex carbohydrates (such as whole-grain breads, brown rice, etc) consist of LONG CHAINS of molecules. Regular carbohydrates have very short chains of molecules. The long chains of complex carbs provide MORE fuel for our bodies to use, and the fuel lasts a longer time. The short chains of regular carbs burn up very quickly, providing short and quick spikes of energy for our bodies to use. For that reason, complex carbs are preferred over regular carbs. OPEN RNY, 7/7/03, 227.6/208.0/138.
   — sweetmana

August 1, 2003
Another way of putting is it, if its white, its wrong! ;-) Unrefined whole grains of any kind are complex carbs, as is honey. White rice, white flours, white sugars, starchy vegetables. Then there are crossovers in some fruits and vegetables, for instance my body things carrots, corn and peas are little sugar bombs! And fruits, though high in fiber, can be very high in sugars, such as watermelon and cherries. Complex carbs very rarely dump your body's blood sugar balance. Watch the labels on crackers and breads very carefully: the word "wheat" is really misused a lot, and does not necessarily mean "Whole wheat." Go really slow on fruit and juice, see how the body will take it. Good luck!!!
   — Deborah M.

August 1, 2003
And adding: "White rice, white flours, white sugars, starchy vegetables ARE SIMPLE CARBOHYDRATES." =^..^=
   — Deborah M.

August 1, 2003
To add to what Deborah said, make sure your bread/cracker labels list stone ground whole wheat; whole wheat; or some other WHOLE grain as the FIRST ingredient. If it says enriched wheat flour RUN! Basically that is just white flour dyed brown and they dump back in 23 of the 100+ nutrients they removed in the first place :>( Oh and cauliflower, even though it is a <b>white</b> vegetable is classified as green and is low in carbs and not a starchy veggie.
   — [Deactivated Member]