Since the revolution that was the Atkins Diet, carbohydrates have seen some fairly negative press. It is a common misconception that all carbohydrates are bad for you, there are in fact two types of carbohydrates and each has a different effect on the body.

Being able to tell the difference between the two types of carbohydrates is very important and the impacts and the effects on the body differ significantly.

Firstly there are what people would refer to as simple carbohydrates, these are predominantly sugar based carbs like honey, sweets and chocolate.

If you’re wondering what effects simple carbohydrates have on your body and your weight loss, think about the last time you had a chocolate bar – remember that sugar rush you had straight after? Followed by a ‘slump’? That’s a prime example of the effects simple carbohydrates have on the human body.

Simple carbohydrates have this effect as they are digested super quick meaning your body experiences an energy surge making you feel ‘high’ one minute and crash the next.

Apart from the above effects, simple carbohydrates aren’t that great for you as they’ll leave you feeling hungrier quicker, craving more simple carbs and ultimately lead to weight gain.

The second type of carbohydrate are complex carbs, these are carbohydrate which will leave you feeling fuller for longer and form the basis of the GI Diet. Complex carbohydrates are a great way to start the day you’ll notice if you’ve ever had white toast and jam for breakfast, you’re hungry an hour or so afterwards, if you were to eat wholegrain bread and peanut butter you’ll be left feeling fuller for longer.

Ultimately complex carbohydrates are the more starchy, fiber rich carbs are are digested at a much slower rate.

So if you are considering a low carbohydrate diet the atkins diet might not be the answer, instead ditch the simple carbohydrates and opt for a healthy diet rich in complex carbohydrates.