That's Fit

I post often about the importance of eating the right carbohydrates. In fact, just yesterday I wrote about "good" carbs vs. "bad" carbs. Good carbs are those that are slower-digesting; they rank low on what is known as the glycemic index. Bad carbs, by contrast, digest very quickly, causing a spike in blood glucose levels -- which is why they rank high on the glycemic index. That all said, it's helpful to know when the best time to eat both types of carbs happens to be. And, yes, there is a good time to eat a bad carb.

When is that good time to eat a bad carb? Right after you've finished a resistance training workout. To help replenish your body and begin the rebuilding process, you should consume a source of fast-digesting carbs. Examples of such carbs are bagels, white bread, white rice, potatoes, and sugary drinks.

When is it a good time to eat a good carb? With every meal, really -- except for the one just mentioned. You may also want to avoid carbs of any kind in your last snack before heading off to bed, but that's up to you. Otherwise, strive to eat several servings of good carbs throughout the day. Examples of good carbs include beans, whole grains, and vegetables.

Don't buy into that "carb-starve" nonsense. Carbs are a vital part of a healthy, well-rounded diet. The key is to be discerning when it comes to which kind of carbs you eat and when you eat them.