And whole grains and other high-fiber foods tend to lower one's risk of heart disease and diabetes. Finally, complex carbs are digested more slowly, and thus have a more modest effect on blood sugar levels. It is overconsumption of simple sugars that is largely responsible for the current epidemic of diabetes. It's also true that some complex carbs are better than others. For instance, white flour is considered a complex carbohydrate, but it's had the nutritional extras, such as the wheat germ and bran, removed.
Whole grains are more nutritious than refined grains.
Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet, but choose wisely. Eat few simple carbohydrates and as few refined grains as possible. Try to get your sugars from foods such as fruit or fruit juice. Don't fill up on candy and soda, leaving no room for more nutritious carbohydrate foods. Her column appears on Wednesdays.