Carbohydrates are humans’ primary sources of energy. As such, food rich in carbs – rice, bread, and pasta – are found in everyday diets from people all over the world. It makes a difference, however, what kind of carbohydrates you consume.

Food that are high on the glycemic index (a ranking that determines how fast carbohydate-rich food affects blood glucose levels) are undesirable, as they cause sugar spikes that can be harmful in the long run.

You often hear about the benefits of whole grain as compared to processed food. And for good reason. Refined and processed food have a longer shelf life, but it also strips nutrients that are beneficial to the human body.

Whole grain food has more complex flavors along with more nutrients and fiber. The fiber content is important because it is low in fat and helps the body feel full. The end result is that food enters the bloodstream more slowly and food exits the body more quickly. Healthy digestion is achieved and harmful toxins are eliminated from the body.

Good sources of carbs are fruit, vegetables, beans, and whole grain food. One of the best is the little known grain quinoa. As the story goes, NASA scientists conducted a study to find the best kind of food for long space flights. The length of the trips means that the food had to be very nutritious. Their selection: you guessed it, it’s quinoa.

Quinoa is unique in that it has a high protein content for a grain. It is also classified under complete proteins, which is to say that it has all the essential amino acids. So give it a try the next time you see it in the supermarket. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how good it is.