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Free Health Tips Carbohydrates & Proteins NEW The
body needs carbohydrates that can be converted to glucose to
provide energy. Protein's primary role is to build and repair
tissues, hormones, and enzymes. Protein also helps to sustain
the energy provided by the carbohydrates. It is important to
balance meals and snacks with carbohydrate-rich and protein-rich
foods together. A meal with carbohydrates alone often results in
one becoming hungry sooner because glucose levels shoot up and
then crash down afterwards. This can leave you feeling tired,
hungry, and weak.
When
protein is included, you will not only stay full longer, but
glucose levels will stay more consistent and you will feel
energized for a longer period. It is
important to understand how protein and carbohydrates interact
with each other. Each food nutrient is broken down at different
times. Carbohydrates are digested in about two hours. Proteins
take longer to digest, and when the two are combined or eaten
together, protein slows down digestion of carbohydrates, and
energy from carbohydrates is released more slowly. Protein
actually slows down the release of glucose from carbohydrates
into the bloodstream. Thus,
eating protein-rich foods with carbohydrate-rich foods
stabilizes the glucose, which could otherwise lead to hunger.
This keeps us feeling energetic and satisfied until the next
meal. In addition, when carbohydrates are used as energy, they
spare proteins from being used as energy so they can be used to
build and repair tissues. For example, a meal only rich in
carbohydrates, such as soup, bread, and salad would result in a
period of hunger soon after the meal. On the
other hand, a balanced lunch that includes a protein source such
as a chicken breast with salad will provide and sustain energy.
In other words, a meal is not a "meal" if it doesn’t
contain a lean complete protein and a complex carbohydrate
together at the same time.
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