What are refined carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates provide the body with energy, but not all carbohydrates are the same. Refined carbs do not provide lasting energy, and eating too many may cause health problems.
Carbs are an important part of a balanced diet. Unprocessed carbs contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
However, processing them removes nutrients and results in refined carbs, which people sometimes refer to as empty carbs or empty calories.
Refined carbs provide very few vitamins and minerals. The body processes refined carbs quickly, so they do not provide lasting energy, and they can cause a person’s blood sugar to spike.
In this article, we look at the differences between refined and complex carbs. We also list alternative foods that people can choose.