We keep reading that sugars are bad for you.  Artificial sugars have a reputation for being especially deleterious, but is there such a thing as the best of these awfuls?  Some facts. The three main nutrients you consume are proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are essential for providing energy, maintaining blood sugar levels and supporting muscle and brain function.  They are also a source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. There are three types of carbohydrates:   sugars , starches and fiber. Your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, or blood sugar .  Glucose can be stored in your liver and muscles for later use. There are two types of sugars . Monosaccharides like glucose ( primary source of energy in the body, and also found in fruits, vegetables and honey ), fructose ( fruit sugar, found in fruits, honey and corn syrup ) and galactose ( dairy products ). Disaccharides. Sucrose, known as table sugar, is a combination of glu...

If you keep up with nutrition, a high fiber diet is generally recommended for a healthy life.  However, there are some who are advised to stick to a LOW-fiber diet.  These individuals usually have medical problems related to their bowels or following certain types of cancer treatment. What particularly confuses me is that  list to the left .  I thought asparagus, corn grits, lettuce and tomatoes had a lot fiber. But most of us are reasonably normal and are advised to maximize ( but see my comment on this term towards the end ) fiber input, for that diet will help you: Normalize bowel movements. Lower cholesterol levels. Control blood sugar levels. Aid in achieving a healthy weight. Increase longevity. There are two kinds of fibers--soluble and insoluble--and they both are good for you.  Simply, fiber is the indigestible part of plants and carbohydrates.  Men ( 38 grams/day ), because they are heavier, need more fiber than women ( 25 ounces/day ), and the am...