So I don't know if we have flashed back to like year 2000 or what, but all I keep hearing about is the benefits of low and no carb diets. What is happening?!?! Am I in "Back to the Future" or what??? I thought we let this theory go once we realized Dr. Atkins had a heart attack, congestive heart failure, and high blood pressure. So what gives??
History repeats itself is what. True that cutting carbs allows you to drop pounds because you are eliminating a major sugar source from your diet. But carbs alone are not the enemy
here, the type and way you are eating your carbs is the enemy!
Quick Carb Lesson (so you don't sound like Regina George, "Is butter a carb?"): There are good carbs, complex, and so called "bad" carbs, simple, (I don't think they should be called bad, just maybe not as great?). Complex are the whole grains, and these get processed by the body differently due to the fiber content. Fiber allows sugar to bind differently in the body. Therefore they are absorbed a little different and in a more efficient way to give you some energy. Simple carbs are just that, simple! They don't have the fiber and other mechanisms to keep you full. Simple carbs are processed quicker as sugar and because they are gone so quick the body craves the sugar immediately. True everything is good in moderation so if you are having white pasta and mac n cheese every so often, no biggy, just don't make it a daily thing. Carbs are really a good thing! Think of fruit and trust me I can't tell you how many women I've met who say they don't eat fruit, "because of the carbs." Oh shove an apple in it already! They can give you some great fiber, protein, and fuel your body for your kick ass work outs.
Now what really gets me hot about this is people saying how good things are without carbs! Reference my above statement about Dr. Atkins having severe heart issues. If all you focus on is protein and no carb your intake of fats goes through the roof! Sure you may lose some weight because your body doesn't have that sugar to run on, so fat is burned instead, but inside you are fat! Truth! Your arteries and heart are suffering, all clogged up.....gross.
Do me a favor, grab a piece of fruit and some whole grain pasta and fuel your body! Be practical about your decisions and then there's no need to cut out an entire food group!
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| Mainly simple carbs, but perfect for a throwback to making Christmas cookies! |
