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Carbohydrate DietCarbohydrate DietCarbohydrate diet according to many is harmful as it is believed to cause high weight gain. Contrary to this popular belief, carbohydrates are very crucial for the body and the body needs a lot to stay fit. At least 60% of the calorific intake must come from Carbohydrates. For the physically active 70% will be the right proportion in their carbohydrate diet.Carbohydrate diet is a vital nutrient for the body, and if properly managed controls weight gain. Carbohydrates exist in simple form as in table sugar and in a complex form as in potatoes. Both have to be converted into glucose for utilization of the body. The blood carries this glucose to all parts of the body, where it finds use in many ways. Glucose is used immediately for energy by the body cells. Glucose is stored in long chains in the liver and muscle in the form of “glycogen”. When the storage of glycogen reaches its peak, they are metabolically converted into fats for storing it for long duration. Glucose may also keep circulating in the blood which can be used by the muscles and other cells for energy. So never plan to reduce the amount of carbohydrates in your carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrate diet should provide for a lot of complex form of carbohydrates, as the body requires at least 75% of the calories from the complex carbohydrates. Some of the food varieties that have this complex form are hot cereals, fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains (rice, barley, corn, etc.), and beans (except soybeans). Simple carbohydrates can be found in fruit juices, dried or canned fruit, cake, candy, soft drinks and honey, but contain very little other nutrients required in a proper carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrate diet has recently been benefiting from a process known as the “carbohydrate loading”. In this process, all the glycogen is first drawn out and filled with lots of carbohydrates. This is particularly of importance to the endurance athletes, as they need both glycogen and fat to endure for long. 100 calories can fuel you for a mile and one pound of fat can fuel you for 40 miles at the rate of 9 calories per gram. Glucose is stored as glycogen in very small amounts and produces only just 4 calories of energy. The athlete would benefit a lot if he has a store of glycogen that can be easily utilized by the body, which can be achieved effectively through carbohydrate loading technique than the normal carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrate diet from normal source is less problematic than the artificially loaded ones. The carbohydrate loading poses two problems. First is that it does not produce results for everyone and the second is that it is very uncomfortable to endure the initial stage of removing the glycogen store. The best option would be to stay away from this technique and work on producing results through your normal carbohydrate diet. |