Does it matter where you get your carbs from?

[mistycatt]

Hi Guys,
I wanted to know does it matter where you get your carbs from if you are trying to cut down. I guess what I am asking is - Is it better to eat carbs that is not a starch or grain, or fruits, or does it matter?? And what is so bad about the Carbs in the starch?

[threenorns]

starchy carbs absorb faster into the bloodstream, hence have a greater insulin reponse. low-GI foods, such as fibrous veggies, absorb more slowly, so your blood sugar doesn't spike. blood sugar spikes result in a brief burst of intense energy that evaporates quickly - just in time for insulin to make its appearance. you then end up cranky, groggy, and reaching for the double latte and boston creme to counteract the effect of all that insulin sloshing around in there.

[Lady C]

Some people avoid fruits because of the sugars (simple carbs). Some people avoid the starchy (complex) carbs because they are usually higher in calories than veggies (complex carbs). You can eat a lot more veggies to equal a single serving of starchy carbs in terms of calories. I personally like a mix of all of them. 5 meals a day -fruit in one, starch carb in one and veggies in 3.

[maverick]

People also avoid fruits because the sugar they contain (fructose) goes directly to the liver (as your muscles can only process glucose) and not to your muscles' glycogen stores. Any fructose that exceeds the capacity of your liver will be stores as fat. If you are cutting calories and subsequently carbs, you want all of your carbs to be used to fuel your workouts.

[cursor]

The problem with that whole line about fructose and either going to restore liver glycogen or to fat is that no one ever addresses the following:

1. What is the function of liver glycogen?
2. At what rate is it used?
3. What is the best prescription for optimally restoring liver glycogen without going overboard?
4. How much fructose is there in fruit anyway?

Fruit does a body a hell of a lot of good. Make sure that you have some daily. :

Connelly :: fruit & fructose
Connelly :: fructose & obesity

[threenorns]

there's about 2lbs of glycogen stored around the liver.

[Chain]

If I remember right, the liver stores about 75-100 grams of glycogen. I'm sure it varies some from individual to individual though.