tailored solutions for successful weight management

Understanding carbohydrates

Carbohydrates form one of seven key food groups, which when eaten in the
correct proportions play an important role in a healthy balanced diet. The key
food groups comprise:

  • Carbohydrates: provide an important source of energy

  • Proteins: an important source of materials for growth and repair

  • Fats: an additional source of energy and aid digestion of fat soluble vitamins

  • Vitamins: these are required in very small quantities to keep you healthy

  • Mineral Salts: essential for healthy teeth, bones, muscles etc

  • Fibre: important for digestive health

  • Water: to keep the body hydrated

Carbohydrates are an ideal energy source when eaten in the right proportions.
The British Nutrition Foundation advises that carbohydrates should account for about 1/3 of our daily food allowance. Click for more information

Carbohydrates come in two types: starchy and sugary, otherwise known as complex and simple carbohydrates. Both types of carbohydrate occur naturally and also in processed or refined foods. To follow a healthy diet we need to be selective in
choosing those carbohydrates we eat.

As a rule, natural starchy carbohydrates provide a slower and more sustained release of energy than refined or sugary carbohydrates. This means they play a key role in good health and managing your appetite and energy levels.

Refined and sugary carbohydrates are turned into glucose more rapidly. This causes significant blood sugar peaks, followed by an inevitable low - more commonly called a blood sugar crash - that can lead to hunger pangs and mood swings.

Green Tick Natural sugary carbohydrates are found in fruit and vegetables Natural Sugary Carbohydrates
Green Tick Natural starchy carbohydrates include brown bread and brown rice Natural Starchy Carbohydrates
Red Cross Refined starchy carbohydrates include white bread and white rice Refined Starchy Carbohydrates
Red Cross Refined sugary carbohydrates include fizzy drinks and biscuits Refined Sugary Carbohydrates

The body utilises these different carbohydrates in different ways.

All carbohydrates are broken down by the body into glucose - a form of sugar - which our cells then convert into energy. The way glucose is digested is important: the slower the better, as this leads to stable energy levels and fewer hunger pangs.

Excess glucose is also stored in our liver or fat tissue for later use. However, if we eat more food than we need during the day then this additional energy remains unused and can lead to weight gain.

DEcarb™ reduces calorie intake by blocking up to two thirds of starchy carbohydrates eaten - both natural and refined - and helps minimise food cravings.

Click here for further examples of complex and simple carbohydrates.

Click here for British Nutrition Foundation advice on a healthy varied diet