October 07, 2009

Quiz: Rate Your Carbohydrates Intake
From HealthCentral.com

It isn't just how many carbohydrates you eat that counts in a healthy diet, it's what kind you choose. Nutritionally, carbs range from super-healthy to almost useless.

A balanced diet contains a proper mix of carbohydrates, fat and protein. Together, they give you energy and the building blocks for growth, maintenance and activity, which is why you need to eat significant quantities of each every day.

There are two basic kinds of carbs: complex - which include pasta, rice, breads, cereals, fruits and vegetables - and simple, which include cookies, candy, soft drinks and pastries.

The big health difference: Complex carbs tend to be rich in vitamins, minerals and often fiber, too. Simple ones tend to be sugary and low in nutrients -- but high in calories.

With a proper meal plan to guide you, eating the right kind, and correct amount, of carbohydrates is easy! I'm not a fan of counting calories or fat grams, etc. but if you want to get an idea of how much carbohydrate you should be consuming, take the test. My results showed the following:

Your daily carbohydrate requirement is: 248 grams. (A pound equals 454 grams.)