Explain to the class what the “bad” carbohydrates are in this meal.

Choose your favorite meal that contains at least one “bad” carbohydrate. Explain to the class what the “bad” carbohydrates are in this meal. How could you make substitutions to this meal to get rid of the “bad” carbohydrates and replace them with “good” carbohydrates? Be specific and include science references for support.
Be creative! You can include pictures of your before and after meals. Also, if you used a recipe, please link it so that your classmates can start building a healthy recipe library.
ANSWER
My favorite meal is pizza, but it is not the healthiest choice because of the white bread crust. White bread is made from refined grains, which have been stripped of their nutrients and fiber. This makes them easy to digest, which can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels. Additionally, white bread is often high in added sugar and unhealthy fats.
To make a healthier pizza, I would substitute the white bread crust for a whole-wheat crust. Whole grains are a good source of fiber and nutrients, and they digest more slowly than refined grains. This helps to regulate blood sugar levels and keep you feeling full longer.
Here is a recipe for a healthy pizza with a whole-wheat crust:
Ingredients:
1 whole-wheat pizza crust
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped vegetables (such as mushrooms, onions, peppers, or tomatoes)
1/4 cup cooked chicken or sausage (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spread tomato sauce evenly over pizza crust.
Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and vegetables.
Top with chicken or sausage (optional).
Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
This pizza is a healthier alternative to traditional pizza because it uses a whole-wheat crust and is lower in saturated fat and calories. Additionally, it is a good source of fiber and nutrients from the vegetables.
Science References:
Whole grains: Whole grains are a good source of fiber and nutrients, and they digest more slowly than refined grains. This helps to regulate blood sugar levels and keep you feeling full longer. (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021)
Refined grains: Refined grains have been stripped of their nutrients and fiber. This makes them easy to digest, which can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels. Additionally, refined grains are often high in added sugar and unhealthy fats. (Mayo Clinic, 2022)
Fiber: Fiber is important for digestive health and can help to regulate blood sugar levels. It also helps to keep you feeling full longer. (National Institutes of Health, 2021)
Pictures of Before and After Meals:
Before:
traditional pizza with a white bread crustOpens in a new window
www.theperfectloaf.com
traditional pizza with a white bread crust
After:
healthy pizza with a wholewheat crust and vegetablesOpens in a new window
sallysbakingaddiction.com
healthy pizza with a wholewheat crust and vegetables