Power Carbs!

For some reason the phrase complex carbs keeps coming through my mind..maybe because I haven't done much research and that would be a good thing to look up! I found this article by a tennis player by the name of Martina Navratilova talking about how carbs are actually good for those who workout because of the energy and refueling benefits they give to a body. I've always known that eating carbs immediately after a workout was good because our enzymes that make glycogen (where we get our energy from) are at their peak activity up to 15 minutes after a workout. (After hard crew workouts we'd eat bagels to refuel) So, to refuel with power carbs during this timespan is beneficial to our bodies because those carbs will be burned faster, and give us better energy for the rest of our day after our workout.
Also? These carbs help people lose weight by reducing insulin levels, which is a fat-producing hormone. So having less of that hormone present means less fat is being produced and stored. Also, these complex carbs provide a lot of health benefits to our bodies: B vitamins, minerals, and plenty of fiber which supports good digestive health. (Speaking of fiber, I heard on a news report on my way to school this morning that people should consume up to 26 grams of fiber a day, but the average amount people consume is about 10-12 grams a day.) But again, it is good to have carbs in a diet, and if one "utilizes" them the correct way, they will not cause weight gain.
I will certainly take this all into consideration as I  plan out my meals for next week! I just have to keep the intensity up in the gym to be able to benefit from all of this!

Here's the article!: http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/info-01-2009/martina_powercarbs.html?CMP=KNC-360i-YAHOOBING-HEA-FIT&HBX_PK=complex_carbohydrates&utm_source=YAHOOBING&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=complex%2Bcarbohydrates&utm_campaign=M_Health%2B-%2BTablet&360cid=SI_554523580_2126358218_1