Healthy Eating: Carbohydrates
Healthy Eating: CarbohydratesPg 1TranscriptCarbohydrate is found in many foods. It provides energy for our heart, brain and muscles. But notall carbs are equal. Some are better choices than others. And if you have diabetes, controllingcarbohydrate is important, because when you eat a lot of carbohydrate your blood sugar may risetoo high.The best carbohydrates provide fiber. They are sometimes called complex carbohydrates. Fibercan help lower your risk for diabetes and heart disease.So, eat more fruits, vegetables and beans, as well as whole grain products and whole nonprocessed foods. These are the foods that most of us do not eat enough. Most people should eat 2cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables each day! Talk with a registered dietitian or yourhealthcare provider about your fruits and vegetables goal and what is right for you. Achieving thisgoal will go a long way toward better nutrition.When picking vegetables, try to pick more non-starchy vegetables. Starchy vegetables are higherin calories than non-starchy vegetables. Starchy vegetables include corn, potatoes, pumpkins, andpeas. Eat more fruits and veggies that are brighter colors. These are more nutrient rich. Aim for therainbow.The not-so-good carbohydrate, like white flour and white sugar, is usually higher in calories andhas little nutritional value. For too many of us, these make up too large a part of what we eat anddrink every day. Choosing less white bread and sweets, sodas, and processed foods, is a move inthe right direction.Also, keep in mind just how many times you may add sugar to flavor your food or drink. Getting asweet tea or sugar in your coffee can add on unexpected calories. Some drinks, such as popularspecialty flavored coffees, contain more sugar than some desserts!Make informed choices when choosing what to drink. Look on the food label for the sugar content.Avoid high sugar items. Choose non-processed foods without added sugars, and avoid addingsugar when cooking or eating other fresh foods. To start, try cutting the amount of sugar and whiteflour you eat in half to get your taste buds used to the change. You may not notice at all!Trying a few of these healthier tips can move you further down the path to great eating habits.This program is for informational purposes only; for all health related issues please contact your healthcareprovider. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this videofor medical decision making. gn_10226_98 ©Milner-Fenwick, Inc.
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