Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs: The Ones You Should Eat

May 14, 2018

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Title: Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs: The Ones You Should Eat URL: https://www.dherbs.com/articles/good-carbs-vs-bad-carbs-the-ones-you-should-eat/

Carbs, or carbohydrates, are one of the three macronutrients that the body uses to obtain energy. They provide fuel for the brain and energy for working muscles, and since the body is not able to produce these nutrients on its own, it is each person’s responsibility to obtain them via his or her diet. Because a lot of good carbs have been labeled as bad, many dietary plans ban them from consumption. Carbs, overall, tend to be misconceived as fat earning once the body is through with them, which makes us avoid them completely, or aim for low-carb diets.. This, however, can lead to nutrient deficiencies, reduced energy, nausea and other health risks.

The main types of dietary carbs are sugars, starches, and fiber. These three kinds of carbs can be found in both healthy and unhealthy foods, so it is essential to know what they are and where they can be found.

Sugars like glucose and fructose naturally occur in fruits and vegetables, but they can also be included in the refined sugar of cakes and cookies. Sucrose, on the other hand, is table sugar and should be avoided because it is processed and bleached. Starches are the most commonly consumed carbs. Beneficial complex carbs are in sweet potatoes, whole grains, and oats, while simple carbs are found in white flour, instant noodles, and pretzels (you want to avoid simple carbs as much as possible). Lastly, fiber is the only one of the three that cannot be digested, but it greatly aids the digestive system and is one of the most important foods in our diet.

So what are the ones we should eat?

The key to finding the “good” amongst the “bad” ones is understanding their basic composition. Good carbs tend to have low or moderate calories; they are low in sodium and saturated fat, while being high in nutrients and naturally occurring fiber. They are also unlikely to be processed or refined, and are void of added sugars. For example, when it comes to grains, whole grains provide more nutrients than the white grains because they have not been processed or bleached. They are also a great way to consume insoluble fiber:

Good Whole Grains Bad Whole Grains

Whole Wheat White Noodles

Brown Rice Crackers

Buckwheat vs. White Flour

Quinoa Pretzels

Whole Oats White Rice

Legumes, such as beans, lentils, peanuts and peas, are also considered “good carbs,” as long as they come raw and have not been pre-seasoned or sugar-coated. Whole fruits and vegetables are generally great sources of the good carbs. Eat the following foods for the highest does of plant-based complex carbs:

Bananas

Apples

Pears

Broccoli

Carrots

Sweet Potatoes

Bad carbs lacking in nutrients are associated with health problems like obesity and type 2 diabetes. They can be deceiving as well, such as with sweet potatoes, which can be great sources of carbohydrates and fiber if cooked and consumed well; you run into problems when you buy them canned or fry them in canola oil and season them with lots of sugar and salt. But once we have found the right kind of carbs we will discover that they actually help the body lose and maintain a healthy weight.

There is an abundance of bad carbs out there, which is why it is integral to discern which ones are good. This is why we consistently advocate learning about food. Knowledge ultimately helps you lead a healthier life.

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A:

You don't have to eliminate anything completely, except for meat, dairy, and artificial salt and sugar. Just cut back on your carbs. Refined grains, such as breads, cereals, pastas, should be eliminated.

We are have numerous informational articles available under ARTICLES on our site. Thank you for your interest in Dherbs.

Q: I am currently undergoing testing for sarcoidosis and found your site. I am already mostly vegan, but I read in your article that complex carbs should be greatly reduced or eliminated. I was just wondering what that might include, rice, and oats? Should I be eating only fruits, veggies, beans and nuts?

Q: I have been dealing with diabetes for over twenty years. I have been on dialysis for almost three years, am a bilateral amputee, and have retinopathy and cardiovascular problems. I don't eat many carbs and take only ten units of Lantus per day. Blood sugars run good, last A1C was 5.6. I don't know what I can take because of the strict renal diet I am on. That's what has me stumped. Can you help?

A:

Sir, drugs and herbs don't mix! Sounds like you're on a strict drug-based regimen. You'd have to consider giving up your meds if you go the herbal route. Read our article HERBS VS. PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS for more clarity of what I'm saying to you here. Regardless of your condition, our
herbs would greatly help you.

Q: I am a 55 year old female. I have an overactive bladder. I am trying to control it myself, without medication. I have not tried herbs. I eat fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins (not beef or pork). I added back more meat proteins 1 1/2 years ago because I was becoming so tired and lacking energy. (I read The Schwartzbein Diet, which helped convince me to add more protein.) I don't eat much sugar, salt (only 500 mg./day) or hardly any processed foods. I drink water and licorice tea, because it makes me feel good. I believe in the power of positive thinking. Can you help me with this?

A:

The steps you are taking in your diet are a great start. Try going raw, and eliminating grains and meat altogether. You can get enough protein and healthy fats with avocado, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, almonds, brazil nuts, coconut. You can also add Vegan Protein Powder to smoothies.

Q: It's been 2 weeks now since, I started eating exclusively raw. I'm even baking whole wheat bread in the sun. This was a great substitute for the cooked rice I used to eat. I'm also eating quite a large amount of grapes (red and white), as my body seems to ask for it. But recently, I noticed that my heart is beating quite strongly, and I find difficulty to bear the hot weather as a consequence. Also, I noticed a white pimple on the tip of my tongue, and this was a confirmation that there was maybe too much stimulating energy in the heart (according to oriental diagnosis of the tongue). When I eat sun baked bread, I automatically feel heat in the body. So I'm wondering if this is a good food to continue with or not. Isn't it more "neutral" (in terms of energy) to include a small portion of cooked brown rice along with the raw regimen? Just want remind you of my health issue: HPV and bacteria in the urinary tract.

A:

Greetings! No need to feel helpless. Feeling is very powerful and you will attract more of what you are feeling if you don't control your feeling. Please consider ordering and READING (digesting)
our "Mental Science Manual" and "The Love Manual" e-books. If you had sex with the guy who cheated on you, you ignited stored residual feelings from the initial violation of your trust. Forgive
yourself (and him) and move on. Okay, as far as the sun baked bread, LISTEN to your body. If you're feeling heat, it's stimulating. Cut back on eating this bread. Go back to a little brown or wild
rice (very balancing). Remember to detoxify your body periodically! Full Body Detox and Anti-Viral Formula.

Q: I just purchased the WEIGHT RELEASE CLEANSE AND REGIMEN and today is my first day. I'm unable to get through on our inquiry line. The diet isn't completely clear to me. Although it says miso soup is ok, I'm unclear on other things. For instance, is tofu ok? What about hummus? What do sprouted grains consist of? Would Eziekial sprouted grain breads and tortillas be ok? The miso soup is the exception to the dietary rule! NO tofu, NO Ezekiel grain breads (no processed grains at all). Sprouted grains are grains (or seeds) soaked in water overnight and consumed. They are not cooked! Hummus is okay (as it's not cooked). Recommended article: "WHAT IS RAW FOODS" Visit our articles section!

A:

The miso soup is the exception to the dietary rule! NO tofu, NO Ezekiel grain breads (no processed grains at all). Sprouted grains are grains (or seeds) soaked in water overnight and consumed.
They are not cooked! Hummus is okay (as it's not cooked). Recommended article: "WHAT IS RAW FOODS" Visit our articles section!

Q: I'm doing the Full Body Cleanse and I have a few questions about it: I get tired of drinking just the distilled water and I'd like to drink the herbal teas, but I don't like it by itself. Would it mess things up to add a pack or two of Splenda to my tea or maybe honey? I can't stand the salads with the olive oil or apple cider vinegar or the lemon juice as dressing and it makes me gag. I have To have some sort of salad dressing. What kind would be suitable? Do I look for sugar-free? Or organic and natural? I found one that is organic and natural, but it has 3 grams of sugar in it. Without eating all my whole grained breads and other fiber, I haven't had much of a bowel movement in 3 days, should I wait a while yet? (I had surgery on my bowels and always had to take fiber tablets and eat lots of grains to get my bowels to move.) I haven't done the enemas yet, (low on money) should I try that? Or should I resume my fiber tablets I normally take? Any type of fiber I could add to my fruit smoothies in the morning? I want to also do the female cleanse. Is it ok to do that immediately after I finish the full body cleanse or should I wait for a little while? Thank you for all your help, I feel much better than I did before and I just started this detox a week ago, lost 10 pounds, too, woohoooooo! Thank you

A:

1. Instead of splenda, use agave, stevia, or grade b maple syrup as a sweetener.

2. In re Salad Dressing, an organic and natural one is great. You can also check our website for salad dressing recipes.

3. The fiber pills are not part of the cleanse, so we wouldn't advise those. Fruit is you best choice of fiber so look into eating more papaya, mango, figs, etc. And yes, colonics (and enemas) would greatly help you - undoubtedly!

4. You can do the Female Cleanse right after you finish detoxing. There's no need to wait!

Q: I recently purchased your Parasite and Worm Kit and wanted to know what grains were good to eat during or after the cleanse. I eat Bulgur, brown rice, black rice, couscous, gold and brown flax seed and ground provisions i.e. yams, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, turnips and etc. Are these ok to eat during the Parasite and Worm Kit or after? Is apple cider or balsamic vinegar ok for consumption? My Queen and I look forward to removing all the parasites form our temple and projecting the increased vibration. Continue to shine the light.

A:

Stay RAW while removing the parasites! If you stay mostly RAW, then on a few days you can engage yourself in some of the foods you mention below (maybe once a week)! But RAW is best! Apple Cider
Vinegar is the BEST vinegar to use!

Q: What Are Some Natural Sweet Treats (Junk Foods) I can Consume? Under free will you can consume what you like, but healthier products are best. You will find plenty of "healthier" snack, treat, and junk foods at good health food stores such as Whole Foods Market, PCC Natural Food Stores, Erewhon, Trader Joes, Natural Grocers, New Frontiers, etc. Just make sure to abstain from salt, sugar, and other harmful chemicals in the products you buy. We list many companies of alternative foods and products (and their website addresses) in our ALTERNATIVE DIET AND LIFESTYLES MANUAL.

Q: Thanks so much for all the wonderful info! I had a chance to look at some of your products and I like what I see. There is so much good stuff here. I just finished a 60 day sugar/fat cleanse. I basically cut out all diary, white sugar, flour, pasta, etc (I was already eating a veggie diet) I did very well with the cleanse and I want to keep it going. I lost almost 20 pounds, but I started eating a little differently, since I had some events for the past couple weeks and the weight started coming back on. I'm aware that I have a slow metabolism, but I do exercise (4 to 5x a week) and I generally eat pretty well. I have about another 40 pounds I want to loose and continue to be healthy and energetic. Also, my husband and I are also trying to have our first child. Do you have any suggestions?

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We would recommend that you give our Full Body Cleanse a try. It will help you lose additional weight and rejuvenate your body. Once completed, try the Fertility Kit, which is a 20 Day program and regimen that consists of herbs, elixirs, affirmations, inhaler, and dietary program to help naturally enhance fertility.

Q: What types of grains are allowed with the raw foods diet during the FULL BODY DETOX? Are whole grain breads and cereal bars ok? Please clarify. Also, should I stop taking my birth control pill while on the detox? I hear it will cancel out anyway?

A:

IN REFERENCE TO GRAINS, ONLY SPROUTED GRAINS. NO CEREAL AND CREAL BARS! OF COURSE STOP TAKING YOUR BIRTH CONTROL PILL BECAUSE THE FULL BODY DETOX TARGETS ALL TOXINS AND POISONS AND MAN-MADE/PHARMACEUTICAL BIRTH CONTROL PILLS ARE TOXIC AND POISONOUS. IT WILL MOST
CERTAINLY CANCEL OUT.

Q: I just purchased that Full body detox & Parasite Kit, and on the instructions for Parasite Kit, it states that grains should be avoided. I eat predominantly white basmati organic rice, so should I not eat this when I start the Parasite Kit? Also I was considering taking IP6 which is a supplement primarily based on grains that the body needs, should I avoid this as well? And what do you think of IP6?

A:

Like it instructs you ... NO GRAINS! IP6? Just another product on the market, sorry.

Q: Good morning, I have always had problems moving my bowels. Sometime I can go 2 weeks without a good move. I have been taking laxatives for years in order to clean myself out which I am sure is neither good for me. What suggestions do you have for me=-- I have tried eating the fiber, etc. Thank you in advance for your advice. Theresa

A:

You're bowel movements are directly related to the foods you consume. Even with the consumption of fiber, there are foods in certain diets that contribute to irregular bowel movements as some foods take longer to break down. It's best to eliminate the foods from your diet that your body is accustom to receiving, giving it only what it needs. We suggest doing the 10 Day Colon Cleanse to help address impacted bowels. The cleanse and diet regimen can help repair the way your digestion track functions helping to improve your bowel movements.

Q: Thanks for the great web site! MY question is what's the best way to get sodium. I thought un-refined sea salt was the best, but the salt article says "eat this salt only if you must." The great thing about pure sea salt is that it all or almost all the minerals the body needs! So what's the best way to get all the mineral and to stay in balance? Also is there a way to get Epsom salt that is sodium sulfate not magnesium sulfate? Is it a good idea to bath in the "good" Epsom salt.

A:

You're welcome, Beloved!

The best way to get sodium is via vegetables (i.e. celery).

Sea salt is great source of sodium, but its a secondary source as it has to be processed from ocean water. Absent the process, it would not be available.

But it does provide minute amounts of trace elements.

In re Epsom salt, I haven't been able to find the sodium one.

I stopped using Epsom salt many years ago.

You could bath in the good Epsom salt, but sea salt is far better and more natural.

Q: I've made a lifestyle change about 8 months ago. I excluded all dairy, wheat, grains, gluten, legumes, sugar, oils (except olive oil). I still eat minimum amount of meat (chicken, fish) maybe 2 -3 times/wk. I'm slowly trying to eliminate meat totally as I only use to make my meals more filling. My plan is to do Ozone Therapy midway through the detox program, which also rid the body of toxins.

Q: I wrote to you a couple weeks ago asking if it was normal for me to have an outbreak only a day or two into the full body cleanse kit. You wrote back and told me that an outbreak is the body healing. It is two weeks later and I am still having an outbreak! Is this a good sign? Do you think this outbreak may continue on through my anti viral kit? I have been eating mostly fruits and vegetables, however I felt like I needed more substance and I was not enjoying my food at all... so I bought organic noodles and organic tomato sauce (sea salt only, tomatoes, no sugar, you get the point). Is adding some of this into my diet going to make the kits less effective or possibly not work?

A:

The outbreak is a result of your body trying to eliminate the toxicity and impurities from your body. Continue to follow the guidelines of the Cleanse.

In regards to what you ate, YES, they make the cleanse less effective, so you may not want to eat much of cooked foods. Raw foods will optimize the cleanse. If you are having trouble staying full, try more healthy fats, like avocado, coconut cream, or raw nuts and seeds.

Q: I just purchased the Pancreas Kit for children, for my 4 year old who was diagnosed with type one diabetes. I have been feeding her a raw diet of just vegetables. The diet includes no dairy, no grains, and fruit for a week. I also started the Pancreas kit last week too. I was wondering if there is any reason why her blood sugar levels would go up? All she is eating is veggies, and her sugar levels are at 300 most of the time. Even if she doesn't eat anything, it still goes up to 300. I also know it says you cannot tell us not to give, or not to give her insulin, or not. I am still currently giving it to her. Does the pancreas kit work just as well if the are receiving insulin or not? Or does it hinder the process?. I would really appreciate other advise you would offer. Thanks so much!

A:

Drugs and herbs don't mix! They cancel each other out. The blood sugar will go up and down due to the body attempting to regulate, and normalize the blood sugar levels. Perfectly normal! It's
called "healing crisis. Whatever you guys choose to do, simply keep monitoring the person. Ask the person how he/she feels (very important).

Q: What type of exercise is good for working out while on the Full Body Detox program? I'm afraid I won't have much energy and stamina for a high impact workout on a raw food diet. Any suggestions???

A:

Thanks for the question,

Exercises recommended:

· Yoga

· Light resistance training

· Walking

· Biking

· Swimming

· Trampoline

· Pilates

· Aerobics

It's best to keep exercise to a minimum. When you exercise your body pulls blood away from your core and into your limbs (fight or flight response). That directs blood away from your healing response. Also high impact or weight training requires more calories and more protein which will over work the organs that should be using their energy healing.