What are carbohydrates ?

What are carbohydrates ?
Knowing what carbohydrates are and what their function in the human body is the first step to understanding the basics of carbohydrates. What are carbohydrates?

In the most simplistic explanation, carbohydrates are energy. Carbohydrates are broken down from sugars and starches and provide the body with a source of energy. A carbohydrate molecule contains glucose. When a cell burns a food source for energy, this carbohydrate molecule and an oxygen molecule are changed in to Carbon Dioxide and water (hence, Carbo-hydrate), releasing the energy (glucose) trapped inside the molecule.

Complex Carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates are sometimes called “slow digesting carbs”. We’ll cover slow digesting carbohydrates on Tuesday.

Simple Carbohydrates
Simple carbohydrates are derived from man made food sources such as flour based foods, soft drinks and processed sugar foods. Simple carbohydrates are sometimes called “Fast digesting carbs”. Dietary Needs of Carbohydrates

While carbohydrates are not an essential nutrient or dietary requirement, they are a great source of energy for the human body and a means of preventing the body from breaking down muscle proteins for energy. Choosing the right carbohydrate source is the key to a healthy diet and potential weight control.
Low Carbohydrate Foods...

low-fat-gravy.

Complex Carbohydrates

Complex Carbohydrates
Complex Carbohydrates list are as follow :
9. Berries -- especially blueberries (brain berries), raspberries, strawberries, blackberries
10. Oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit
11. Cherries
12. Peaches, plums
13. Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts
14. Oats, whole wheat, wheat germ -- oatmeal needs to be the long cooking kind as instant has a higher glycemic index since the manufacturer has broken down the fiber to speed cooking time and basically make it a refined carbohydrate. Same goes for bread, look for at least 3 grams of fiber. Remember unbleached wheat flour is white flour, it must say whole wheat.
15. Red or yellow peppers (much higher in Vitamin C than green peppers)
16. Pumpkin squash
17. Spinach -- works wonderfully as a salad, or a cooked vegetable, adds fiber and nutrients
18. Tomatoes
19. Yams
** Beans (also listed under proteins)
Low carbohydrate foods...
low-carbohydrate-foods-list

Low carbohydrate foods list

Low carbohydrate foods list

List of low carbohydrate foods:

• Meat
• Bacon
• Beef
• Chicken
• Duck
• Goose
• Ham
• Fish
• Cod
• Crab
• Eel
• Flounder
• Halibut
• Herring
• Lobster
• Salmon
• Shrimp
• Scallops
• Trout
• Dairy
• Cheese
• Butter
• Eggs
• Vegetables
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Leeks
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Parsnips
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Turnips
• Watercress
• Fruits
• Apples
• Apricots
• Blackberries
• Cherries
• Figs
• Grapes
• Grapefruit
• Cantaloupe
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Pears
• Pineapple
• Plums
• Raspberries
• Rhubarb
• Strawberries
• Nuts
• Almonds
• Brazil Nuts
• Chestnuts
• Peanuts
• Walnuts

Low carbohydrate foods....
what-are-carbohydrates

FAJITAS (CHICKEN OR BEEF)

FAJITAS (CHICKEN OR BEEF) ...a nice low carbohydrate foods.....
Ingredients:

* 1.5-2 lbs skirt steak or other beef or chicken easily cut into strips
* 1 medium onion, sliced, or 15 medium scallions (green onions) - same amount of carb!
* 2 large Bell peppers, sliced - two different colors is nice
* 1/4 cup soy sauce
* 1/4 cup lime juice
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 2 Tablespoons oil

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine soy sauce, lime juice, chili powder, and oil. If grilling, save a couple of Tablespoons aside to toss with the vegetables.

2. Slice the meat into about 1/2 inch slices. If using skirt steak, flank steak, or other meat with an obvious grain (lines through the meat), be sure to cut perpendicular to the grain, or you will be
chewing a very long time. (Think about it - you want to create a lot of short fibers, not a few long ones.) How to Cut Meat Against the Grain
3. If cooking in a skillet, marinate everything together in a bowl or plastic bag (a zip-type works well). If grilling, marinate the meat and veggies separately. Even a few minutes helps, up to 2 hours is great.
4. If grilling, remove from marinade and grill.
5. For cooking in a skillet (preferably regular, not nonstick), cook the meat first (it will probably take two batches, depending upon your pan). Add a little oil to the skillet and get it very hot (the
oil will shimmer). If you don't get it hot enough (or crowd too much meat in), the meat will steam instead of browning. When the meat is browned, remove and add veggies. When they begin to soften, return meat to skillet to heat through.
6. Serve with salsa, sour cream, cilantro (if desired) and guacamole. If low-carb tortillas are available, that is a nice addition, but a fork works fine.
This low carbohydrate foods serves 5 persons....nice ! Enjoy it !
low-carbohydrate-foods-list.

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore...a low carbohydrate food recipe to try !

Ingredients:

* 3 lbs skinless chicken thighs (bone-in; if using boneless, 8 or 9 thighs)
* 1 cup chopped onion
* 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
* 8 oz brown crimini or portobello mushrooms, roughly chopped
* 4 cloves garlic
* 1 teaspoon olive oil
* 1 can chopped tomatoes (about 14 oz)
* 2/3 cup dry wine (white or red)
* 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning mixture, or 1 teaspoon each oregano, basil, and thyme
* Salt and pepper
* 1/3 cup tomato paste
* 1 inch of Parmesan cheese rind (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Put in crock pot set to high, and cover. Alternatively, you can brown the chicken before or after removing the skin, and then pour off most of the fat before
cooking the vegetables.
2. Cook the onion and green pepper in a large skillet with a small amount of oil on high heat. After 2 to 3 minutes, add the mushrooms. Two minutes later, add the garlic. Cook for another minute.
3. Add the tomatoes, wine, herbs, and more salt and pepper. Boil for 5 to 10 minutes, until liquid is almost completely boiled away. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. If it tastes harsh or
acidic, add just a touch of sweetener (one drop of Sweetzfree can do the trick).
4. Add the tomato paste and Parmesan cheese rind, and stir to combine. Spoon ingredients onto the top of the chicken, and cook for 3 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low. About half an hour before you are ready to eat, check and adjust seasonings one more time. The low carbohydrate food is ready to serve....Enjoy it !
fajitas-chicken-or-beef.

Tuna-Mac Casserole [Low Fat]

Tuna-Mac Casserole ...a great low carbohydrate foods....

Ingredient

• 4 c cooked elbow macaroni about 7 oz dry
• 1 can reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup
• 1 c skim milk
• 12 1/4 oz water-packed tuna
• 1 c mushroom pieces raw
• 2 Tbsp green onion tops
• 1/4 tsp celery seed
• 1/4 tsp lemon pepper
• salt (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix altogether. Pour into two 1 1/2 quart casseroles coated with cooking spray. (One may be lined with heavy duty foil before spraying.
Then freeze before baking.)
Bake at 350=B0 F for 25-30 min. (Bake FROZEN casserole for 50-60 min oruntil hot.)

Low carbohydrate foods....
crock-pot-chicken-cacciatore.

Low Fat Fried Chicken

Low Fat Fried Chicken...a great low carbohydrate food recipe....!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 Chicken breast halves-skinned, boned
• 3/4 c Buttermilk
• 3 tb Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 c Dry bread crumbs
• 1/2 ts Rosemary
• 1/2 ts Thyme
• 1/4 ts Garlic powder
• 1/4 ts Onion powder
• 1/4 ts Black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Cover a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray.
In a shallow disk combine all ingredients except chicken and buttermilk. In a separate dish, dip chicken in buttermilk then roll in dry mixture and place on baking sheet.
Bake at 400F for 35 to 40 minutes until golden.
Calories: 332 per serving Fat grams: 12 grams per serving
The low carbohydrate food is ready to serve....nice !
tuna-mac-casserole-low-fatl