Definition: Refined carbohydrates are produced when whole plants which are high in carbohydrates are processed in a way to strip out everything but the highly digestible carbohydrate (starch or sugar). This has the effect of concentrating the carbohydrate and/or breaking it down so that the body processes it very quickly, generally causing a high rise in blood sugar (glycemic response). It also usually removes the fiber and most of the nutrients in the food.
Refined carbohydrates include:
Refined carbohydrates include:
- Anything we call "sugar" including granulated sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or anything on this list.
- Grains that have been made "white" by stripping the germ and/or bran from the grain. This includes white flour, white rice, white pasta, and couscous.
- Anything called "starch" - corn starch, modified food starch, etc.
- Grains that have been turned into flakes, puffs, shreds, etc, rarely are made from whole grains, but in any case are generally processed to the point where they are very glycemic.
