The popular Atkins Diet has revolutionized the way people eat these days. Once upon a time, many people were not even capable of pointing out a carb, even when it was sitting right in front of them.

But is the popular Atkins diet right for your needs?

Are carbohydrates your enemy or friend?

Should you be cutting carbs from your diet, or is there more to them than what meets the eye.

Carbohydrates – Friend or Foe?

Carbohydrates are complicated things. They are not merely just good or bad. They are actually a complicated, and very necessary, part of your diet. First, get to know your carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in the standard American diet tend to be found in the following foods: yeast breads, cookies, cakes, soft drinks, quick breads, muffins, dough nuts, sugars, syrups, potatoes, jams, cereals, pasta, milk, rice and other cooked grains, fruit drinks, juices, frozen dessert, potato chips, crackers, popcorn and many vegetables. With such a laundry list of carbohydrates, maybe you think that it is nearly impossible to avoid them. You would be right—it is very difficult, and truly unnecessary, to avoid carbohydrates altogether.

Things You Should Know About Carbohydrates

There are many things that you should know about carbohydrates. First, understand that carbohydrates make up such a large part of the standard American diet because they are relatively inexpensive. They make up an inexpensive filling in many foods, and they are often very satisfying, at least right after consuming them. You should know that many people crave carbohydrates, which can lead to over consumption of them. The Atkins Diet tends to emphasize the dangers of carbs. The Atkins Diet informs us that carbs are often bad because they are the chief cause of weight gain and obesity. However, although the Atkins Diet is right that many of us gain weight because we consume too many carbs, research also tells us that it is unwise to shun them altogether.

Two Classes of Carbohydrates

There are two basic types of nutritive carbohydrates. These are starches and sugars. Sugars consist of basic glucose and more complicated sugars such as sucrose, or table sugar. Sugars can be found in ripe fruit, in seeds and even some vegetables. Sugars also occur naturally in syrup and honey. Starches are a bit more complicated. Many plants use them in order to store energy in their roots. Plants that store starch include sweet potatoes, tubers and seeds.

Carbohydrates – Simple Versus Complex

What is the difference between these two, and which ones are right for your weight loss diet? Many dieticians have advised patients to avoid the Atkins shun-all-carbohydrates approach and instead separate carbohydrates into these two categories. In general, you should minimize the consumption of simple carbs, and increase the consumption of complex carbohydrates. Simple carbs include high glycemic foods such as potatoes, sweet drinks and bread. These can often cause a fast rise in your blood sugar. These simple carbs cause your pancreas to secrete insulin, which allows glucose to enter your cells. Insulin also has a strong influence over your weight, cardiovascular function and fat metabolism. The Atkins Diet is right when it states you should avoid a diet high in simple carbohydrates, as these often lead to weight gain.

Functions of Carbohydrates: Why Your Body Needs Carbohydrates

However, you should not avoid carbohydrates altogether. Carbohydrates are necessary as easily digested sources of energy for your body. Choose healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grains, squash, beans and fruit. Avoid highly processed and refined foods, as these are often chock-full of simple carbohydrates. Sources of simple carbohydrates include pastries, crackers, chips, processed bread and cheese and other foods, and should be a minimal part of your diet.