Not all carbohydrates are created equal. Some will help prevent life shortening diseases raging from obesity to heart disease and also to cancer. Still others such as sugar or junk food can incite disease. To stall healthy and as good a shape as possible for as long as possible we need to eat more from the first group and less from the second. Understanding the differences among the various types of carbohydrates can enable you to make better food choices and so enhance your health, lose weight, and boost your physical and mental performance.

All carbohydrates are organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and are formed from green plants through a process called photosynthesis. Carbohydrates are present in food in the form of sugars, starches and fibers. Sugars are very easily and quickly digested in the body. Starches take longer to digest than sugar. Most plant foods, including cereals, whole grains, pasta, fruits and vegetables are starches. Fiber is found in starches and less-starchy vegetables like lettuce.

Fiber is the indigestible remains of plant food, it provides little energy to the body but is vital for intestinal action. Fiber improves evacuation of body waste; it flushes cancer- causing substances from the body and helps to normalize cholesterol levels. A diet high in fiber content aids in weight control by making you feel full so you don't overeat. You spend more energy digesting and absorbing high fiber foods, a fiber intake of 35 grams causes you to burn 250 calories a day without exercising more or eating less. Carbohydrates make up about one-half the calories consumed by the average American.