COMPLEX carbs

We are probably all aware of the dangers and damage caused to our bodies by excess sugar – the white stuff in sweets and the sugar bowl. But what about the sugars in more complex carbohydrates, such as pasta and bread? We all need some carbs – they’re a great source of energy – and the amount we need depends on factors including age and activity levels. The government dietary guideline for an adult woman is at least 267g a day, although some dietitians and fitness trainers now say the emphasis should be more on protein than carbs.

All the carbohydrates we consume are broken down into glucose. The pancreas secretes insulin to deal with this. The release of insulin is what’s known as an ‘insulin spike’. The type of carbohydrate as well as the amount affects blood glucose levels. Simple carbohydrates, such as sucrose, trigger higher insulin releases than complex carbohydrates, such as starch. This is why there may be a potential link (disputed) between sucrose, which is sugar, and Type 2