Carbs & Insulin Explained In Plain English

Have you noticed that there’s a tremendous amount of confusion associated with nutrition in general, and carbohydrates in particular? Let’s clear things up.

What Is A Carb?

First of all a carb is not a TYPE of food, it is a PART of food. There are three substances that are classified as carbohydrates.

1. Sugar. This can be sugar from fruit, honey, or a box labeled “Dixie Crystals.” While there are different types of sugar that we eat, they are all considered “simple” carbohydrates.
2. Starch. This is a long chain of sugar molecules. Once we eat it, the body breaks it down into sugar. However, because it is “complex,” the process takes longer.
3. Fiber. Fiber is also considered a complex carbohydrate, but unlike sugar and starch, it is not absorbed by the body. Instead, it helps with digestion (along with a lot of other things).

As you can see, the terms “simple” and “complex” are almost entirely unhelpful. The practical difference is between fiber (which passes through the body), and sugar/starch (which are absorbed by the body).

What Does The Body Do With Sugar/Starch?