Carbs: The Good, The Bad, and The Glycemic Index

Good carbs are loosely defined as foods that do not increase your blood sugar, and are typically good sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Bad carbs on the other hand, provide empty calories, and little nutrition.

Defining how likely carbohydrate-rich foods are to increase blood sugar, or glucose, is called the glycemic index, or GI. Health experts look to the GI as an indicator for potential weight loss and blood sugar levels.

Foods that can cause blood sugar to rise quickly are defined as high glycemic index foods, and low GI foods are usually high in fiber. The DASH diet is loaded with low GI carbs, and fiber-rich foods. Here are a few tips from the DASH diet plan:

• Eat 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
• Consume whole grains for added fiber in your daily diet.
• Consume 4-5 servings per week of nuts and beans for more protein and fiber.

Overall, the DASH diet plan at 2,000 calories daily, contains over 31 grams of fiber! Sounds like its time to make fabulous friends with fiber!