…you Didn't Know About Carbs

1 | THE CLIFFSNOTES Carbohydrates—what eggheads refer to as CH 2 O—is made up of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen molecules; carbs are considered to be an energy source for the body and contain four calories per gram. (Fat contains nine calories per gram.)

- Jason Stahl

2 | CARBS ARE SIMPLY COMPLEX Simple carbs (sugar, soda, candy) are digested rapidly and are a quick source of energy. Complex carbs (greens, whole grains, starchy veggies) are slower to digest and provide energy at a more constant rate than the energy spikes you get from simple carbs.

3 | THE EFFECTS ARE

SIMPLE Eating carbs won’t make you fat. Eating too many calories will.

4 | BEWARE THE GASMAN

Fiber, a complex carb that the body cannot digest and helps move waste through your intestinal tract, causes flatulence. Fiber is sometimes referred to as “nature’s broom” for its ability to clean you out.