Good carbs contain plenty of fiber and helps to curb your appetite. Enjoy foods like oatmeal, brown rice, whole grains, and legumes like lentils to fill you up and keep

your energy levels high.

Eating the right amounts of good carbohydrates can improve your HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein, or good cholesterol), reduce LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol), reduce overall body fat, keep your blood

sugar levels constant, and prevent disease. Watch this video to learn how carbs affect your health, for better or for worse.

Carbohydrates help the body produce serotonin, the "feel good" hormone. You will find that when you have been hungry for prolonged periods of time, you become cranky or depressed. You

might be tempted to reach for something sweet or starchy like chips or candy. Not a good idea. Grab an apple instead. It has natural sugars and lots of fiber

to ensure a slow release into the bloodstream. And you know what they say--an apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Whether you are a distance runner or a lover of extreme sports, you need the extra energy to get through your workouts. You don't have to carb-load like marathon runners

or triathletes, but you must be mindful of what it will take to sustain long periods of physical activity. If you don't plan ahead, you might hit a wall and

not be able to finish. Plus, your recovery will be brutal.