Low carb recipes are all the rage these days as people try to make sure they stay trim. Several diets have popularized this type of meal plan, and as a result, more recipes have become available that are considered low carb. So what exactly are carbohydrates or "carbs" as they are often called?

Carbohydrates are generally separated into two different categories: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are things such as white sugar and fruit. Complex sugars are also called starches, and they are food items such as pasta and bread. Another term to keep in mind is refined carbohydrates which refers to those carbs that are processed. These are not as healthy for you. Some refined carbs include things such as white flour and white rice.

Low carb recipes tend to try and minimize carbs of any kind, but especially those that are refined. Many of these recipes combine protein and vegetables for a meal instead of using carbs as the main feature. You can also make recipes that have "better" carbs by substituting unrefined ingredients for those that are refined. Easy substitutions you can make include things such as using brown rice instead of white for a stir fry base, or trying whole wheat pasta instead of regular. There is no shortage of low carb recipes these days, and using some of them in your meal plans can be a good way to eat healthy.

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