The media is a powerful medium for absorbing messages. Also, the more we hear something, the more we think it must be true. Celebrity 'words of wisdom' can suddenly become mantras that others will follow. What they try, will be what others want to try. So how about the 'low carbohydrate diet'? Should everyone be following it? What is considered a carbohydrate to begin with?
What are carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are cheap and easy to fill up on. It also has various chemical and physiological functions that are important to our health. However, being a source of fuel, you must still watch your portions. It is too easy to overfill the plate, so remember one clenched fist is one serving size. One extra unneeded muffin may equal an excess muffin top above your jeans!
Where do I find carbohydrates?
Being a key source of fuel, carbohydrates are found in almost all food groups – cereals, fruit, vegetables, starchy root vegetables, pulses, dairy products. So it's pretty hard to avoid carbohydrates altogether.. and if you do, you may be eliminating some key nutrients that are essential to your health.
Why do I need carbohydrates?
Your brain relies on glucose (a source of carbohydrate) for fuel. Just as alongside oxygen, without it, your concentration and your ability to make decisions are affected. All of your body’s cells also rely on carbohydrates for immediate energy from glucose breakdown. Without it, fuel needs to be sourced from fat stores which raise ketone levels in the blood to be used as an alternative fuel source. Ketone bodies contain acetone, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate. To lower levels of acetone, the body excretes it in urine and breathing it out – a breath smelling of nail polish remover! Very low calorie diets and low carbohydrate diets causing ketosis must be closely monitored by appropriate health professionals to avoid what can otherwise end up being serious conditions and health consequences. Carbohydrate foods also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals for optimal health
How do I know what to choose?
For general health, the less processed the better. Think of your metabolism as a fire. What you feed into the fire determines how long the fire will burn. Throwing paper into a fire will provide instant energy, whereas throwing wood into a fire would produce a longer and more constant source of fuel. Thus having plain white bread would provide instant energy. Having wholemeal or wholegrain provides satiety, more stable energy levels, and as a bonus, the body would need to burn fuel in order to break down the complex carbohydrates to digest and access the sugars – extra calories burnt! Fibre is also important – it can act as a bottle brush cleaner to clean your bowels, and provide other health benefits such as lowering cholesterol.
So as you can see, carbs aren't bad... it's all about having the right amount for you!
So as you can see, carbs aren't bad... it's all about having the right amount for you!
Not sure how much you need? Contact me for a consultation.
