Everyone these days seems to be on some kind of health kick. Whether they are trying to lose weight, get in shape or simply lead a healthier lifestyle, diet and exercise has become a big concern for a person's way of life. Research tells us that the more important of the two is diet. Hence the old saying, "You are what you eat."

When it comes to diet, there are certain key nutrients that your body needs to function properly. One of these key nutrients is carbohydrates, also known as carbs. The media has labeled carbs as taboo if you are wanting to lose weight or get in shape. This is not the case, though, if you eat the right carbs and the right amounts.

Everyday Health tells us that carbs are our bodies main energy source and a crucial part to having a healthy diet. That being said, here are some do's and don't's when it comes to carbs.

Do's & Don't's

The first thing you should do with carbs is eat them, but do not over indulge in them, a.k.a. carb-loading. WebMD states that 45-65 percent of your calories should come from carbs with the remaining coming from fat and protein. That is right around half of your calories, which seems like a lot, but you must remember that carbs are high in calorie, so be conscious of that.

Next, it is best to understand what foods make up carbs. Carbohydrates are everywhere: breads, pastas, rice, cereals, fruits, vegetables, juice, sodas, milk, dairy, desserts, nuts, seeds and candy.

Now, what makes one better or worse than the other? It's actually quite simple. Carbohydrates are put into two categories, simple and complex carbs. You want to eat the complex carbs, and you don't want to eat the simple carbs. Thanks to positivemed, here is a chart to explain.

Another helpful note about carbs is don't eat them late at night. Really, anytime after 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. All the energy in those carbs you take in late at night will turn to sugar and, then, consequently turn to fat. Make sure you eat carbs mainly for breakfast and lunch.

So, when it comes to whether carbs are good or bad, they're both. You just need to be educated on which to eat and which to avoid in order to live a healthier lifestyle. Here's to choosing healthier carbs and a healthier you. Cheers!