If your diet is high in carbohydrates, you are actually adding fat to your body. Carbohydrates raise the glucose level in your blood stream, which forces your body to produces insulin to lower the blood sugar. Insulin is a storage hormone, which then stores the excess carbohydrates in the form of fat. The only places it can store the fat are the liver and the muscles.The fat stored in the liver is broken down and sent around the body. The fat in the muscles is not broken down but simply stays there.

What are carbohydrates?

They are really sugars. Most of us know they are sweets, pasta and breads, but some of us may not know they are also vegetables and fruit. Of course, we should eat fruit and vegetables as that is where we gain our nutrients and, because they are carbohydrates, our energy. Fruit and vegetables are the good carbs. In fact, these foods should be the main source of our carbohydrates. The bad carbs are the highly refined ones such as white flour, white rice and white sugar and sugary drinks. These send the blood sugar level up quickly, resulting in the production of insulin to combat these higher levels.

Why do we need carbohydrates?

The body needs glucose, which it gets from carbohydrates. The brain uses an enormous amount of glucose - something like two thirds of what the body produces. The body needs this constant supply to stay healthy. It is the type and quantity of carbohydrates that can cause problems, as the excess not used by the body is stored as fat. To make matters worse, when the body produces insulin to lower the blood sugar level, it causes hunger, which is why you can be looking for food a couple of hours after eating. That is why high carb diets do not help you lose weight but, in fact, they actually cause you to put on weight and to keep it on.

A Balanced Diet

A balanced diet should include healthy carbohydrates found in fruit and vegetables. It should also include natural fiber, as this helps to control the amount of blood sugar produced, which in turn lowers the insulin. Natural fats, such as olive oil, should also be a part of a balanced diet, as these do not make you fat but are converted into energy. Eating too many carbohydrates is counter productive as they will add to your stomach fat.

High carb diets do not work but a diet that includes a balance of carbohydrates, fiber, protein and plenty of water do work. If you start a program of regular exercise along with good eating habits, you should enjoy a lifetime of good health.