Not Medical Advice: Foods like flour, rice, pasta, bread, crackers, cereal, and simple sugars like table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are considered white carbohydrates or white foods. These are highly processed foods that have been stripped of much of their nutrient value.
According to WebMD, white foods - essentially, "bad carbs" have been fingered as a culprit in America's obesity epidemic. A study showed that people who ate too many refined carbs were at increased risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
White foods are easy to overeat. In addition to this, refined carbs are less satisfying than "good carbs." The body absorbs processed grains and simple sugars relatively quickly. Increased blood sugar triggers a release of insulin, and, in an hour or two after eating, hunger returns.
Carbohydrates are essential for health and are your body’s preferred form of fuel. We can’t live without them, but we'd be healthier if we got most of our carbohydrates from "smart carbs" like fruits, vegetables, legumes, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. The bottom line: White, refined foods can be part of a healthy diet, but moderation is key.
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