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More than any other nutrient in the world, carbs are surrounded by more hype, contradiction and confusion.

When it comes to carbohydrate consumption, there has been an endless amount of debate, hundreds of fad diets and thousands of rules put into place over the last decade. Without sensible guidance with regards to carbs, the average fitness beginner has absolutely no clue how to deal with carbs.

I will reveal to you in this two-part article, how to determine which carbs you should include in your belly fat burning diet and how to implement them. This will simply be a broad, overall examination of the topic in order to keep things as easy to understand for you as possible.

So... what exactly is a carbohydrate?

Simply put... it's sugar.

Whether you consume a plate of spaghetti noodles, a bowl of grapes or a chocolate bar, carbs will always eventually be crushed down into their simplest form: glucose.

The main function of glucose is to provide fuel for your muscles and brain in order to carry out your daily tasks. While the end product of all carbs is the same, it's the manner in which they reach that final end product that is important to us in terms of burning belly fat.

When you eat foods containing carbs, the body will digest and break them down into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream to be used as a source of fuel. The speed at which the sugars are converted to glucose is the main difference between sources of carbohydrate.

Some carbs raise blood sugar levels quickly and sharply, while others are crushed down and released at a slow, gradual pace.

If you want to burn belly fat and maintain sufficient levels of energy, you should make keeping your blood sugar levels balanced and consistent your primary goal.

Why?

It's all related to insulin, which is a hormone that controls the amount of sugar in the blood stream by moving it into the cells of the body.

It's pretty simple actually. Eat large amounts of carbs that are crushed down quickly like sugar, and the body compensates by releasing a huge amount of insulin. Sugar is removed from the bloodstream by the insulin which lowers the blood sugar levels.

Tiredness, fatigue and hunger pains are all products of low blood sugar levels which leads to binge eating.

In addition, high levels of insulin increase the body's rate of belly fat storage. When insulin is present in large amounts, belly fat cannot be used as an energy source by the body due to a rise in enzymes that prevent belly fat mobilization.

To put it simply...

You end up in a roller coaster of escalating blood sugar levels followed by dramatic crashes when you consume carbs that raise blood sugar levels can be. This inhibits your ability to burn belly fat and throws your energy levels, appetite and mood completely out of order.

Sticking to meals that keep blood sugar is balanced is the ultimate goal when consuming carbs. To keep your blood sugar levels balanced, focus on foods that are digested and gradually released into the bloodstream.

By always maintaining steady blood sugar levels, your body will remain in a continual belly fat burning state, your energy levels will remain peaked and your appetite will be kept under control.

Now that we've covered the goal of proper carbohydrate consumption lets discuss what food sources can help you attain your goals in Part 2.