Last week we talked about what carbohydrates are, in this post:
https://kyrawilliamsfitness.com/what-are-carbs/
Now let’s discuss what happens when we eat carbs.. Our bodies break the sugars we eat down into a very simple sugar we know as glucose.
This glucose is stored in the liver , in our muscle cells and fat cells. This gives us the energy we use throughout our day to be alive, brain function, getting dressed, walking around, lifting weights, etc. The storage form of sugar is called glycogen.
As we eat carbohydrates (and protein too) the pancreas secretes insulin to help lower blood glucose and chouffer the sugar where it needs to go.
However some forms of sugar digest faster than others, creating *different* glycemic responses. Simple sugars such as fructose, (fruit, honey, etc,) lactose, sucrose (table sugar) digest quickly where as complex carbs (starch from plants like grains, potatoes) digest slower.
Then there’s also fiber which is found in whole fruit and vegetables, which our body can’t actually digest, but this slows down the digestion process, and this glycemic/ insulin response, in turn.
Next week we will talk about the glycemic index and load so stay tuned!
If you need help figuring out what carbs, and how many, are right for you, let’s work together. Sign up for online personal training at kyrawilliamsfitness.com/signup and email me and let’s get a custom clean eating meal plan set up for you!
Your Coach,
Kyra