Carbs.

Carbohydrates:   The Good, The Bad, And The Healthy.    

Carbs are a part of nearly every dieter’s vocabulary. 

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A number of diets are famous for fighting carbohydrate consumption but you should know that not every carbohydrate is created alike. 

While it is true that you can lose weight by cutting carbs, carbs are also necessary for a good diet.          

To begin with we should define what we mean by “carbs” (Carbohydrates).

 Carbs are derived from a number of different sources they are present in bread, pasta, fruits, and vegetables and there are also a number of different types of carbs. 

For instance, carbs come in the form of sugars, starches, and fibre.           

For the most part, the digestive system divides carbs into sugar molecules which can be taken into the bloodstream. 

The majority of carbs are transformed into glucose or blood sugar and in this way, carbs provide energy for our bodies.  

Those who lack sufficient carbohydrates in their diet may suffer from fatigue.     

       

Carbs can be filled with nutrients. 

For instance, fruit contains vitamins A and C, fibre, and folate, vegetables are a good vitamin and fibre source, they usually contain a greater variety of minerals than other foods do, whole grains can provide you with fibre, protein, and B vitamins and legumes can provide you with protein, iron, and potassium.              

           

But carbs can also be potentially bad for your health. 

Biscuits (that’s cookies to our American friends), potato chips, and soft drinks also contain carbs in the form of sugar and flour and these refined carbohydrates have been linked with diabetes and heart diseases, making these carbohydrates a dangerous choice. 

There are a number of good reasons to ban these carbs from your diet. 

They are extremely high in calories and offer little in the way of nutrients and because they contain no fibre they will not keep you satisfied.

Such carbs offer you zero nutrients but plenty of fat so you should avoid processed grains and sugars instead, eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to maximise your nutritional intake.  

Instead of eliminating carbs completely from your diet simply ban those that increase the size of your waistline.                         

           

There is another way to think about carbs. 

You can generally divide them into two categories: simple and complex. 

A simple carb, such as sugar, promotes weight gain therefore you should select low-sugar foods, especially low-sugar beverages however, surprise, surprise,  complex carbohydrates promote weight loss. 

Health experts recommend that dieters consume between 55 and 65 percent of their calories from these types of carbs. 

Such carbs include fruits and vegetables and a number of other natural foods.      

           

But it isn’t enough to simply eat fruits and vegetables you also need to avoid fattening sauces and condiments such as mayonnaise and butter. 

By adding butter to your broccoli or mayonnaise to your potatoes, you can raise the calorie amount exponentially, sabotaging your diet. 

   

The U.S. Department of Agriculture promotes a food pyramid that recommends as many as eleven servings of bread, pasta, and cereal however a number of recognised dietitians are suggesting that we should cut the carbs altogether. 

           

It is interesting to point out that neither the American Heart Association nor the American Diabetes Association believes that the glycemic index should be considered when following a weight loss plan while the Diabetes Association concedes that various foods offer different glycemic responses, the Association’s leaders believe the most critical factor is the number of carbs rather than the form of the carbs consumed.           

           

The  dietary information about carbs can be confusing however a number of dietitians say that, while you might not want to cut carbs out of your diet entirely, you should eat carbs only in moderation. 

Health experts also say that you should limit your carb intake to good carbs and pass up the bad ones. 

By following such a plan, you should have energy but you shouldn’t pack on the weight. 

It may be difficult at first to follow such a diet plan, since many of us are conditioned to eat bad carbs in order to elevate our moods in time, however, you may find that you enjoy the fruits and vegetables you’re eating, and you may not even miss those potato chips.            

Are You A Carb Addict?

It has been estimated that three out of every four overweight people are addicted to carbohydrates. 

But what does this mean? 

In essence, it means that you have too much of the hormone insulin in your system, this insulin prompts you to eat often and to consume the wrong types of foods. 

Some of the tell-tale signs of carbohydrate addiction include fatigue, mood swings, and migraines which can be caused by low blood sugar.         

           

A carb addiction can lead you to consume a whole bag of  pretzels at one sitting, or to indulge in half a cake at dinner time. 

Your body is conditioned to eat as many carbs as possible so it may seem that at times you’re never really satisfied no matter how much or how often you eat.         

            

There’s a programme called “The Carb Addicts Diet” where you eat two meals per day of vegetables and protein with the third meal of protein, vegetables that are not filled with starch, and carbohydrates. 

During this last meal, known as the reward meal, you can even eat dessert.  

The trick is to skip the carbs for two meals each day.           

           

The authors of the program believe that, if you follow this regimen, you will lose your cravings for carbohydrates in time. 

If your urge to consume carbs does not disappear by the second week of the program, they recommend checking your diet to see whether you are following the program closely.             

           

With the Carb Addicts plan, like other diet plans, you need to closely monitor your portion sizes, all of your hard work will be in vain if you allow yourself to overindulge in sweets, even if it is for only one meal a day. 

Also, you need to make sure that the protein you consume is not high in fat. 

You may want to eat fish, chicken with the skin removed, or lean meats when trying to obtain a protein source.            

           

Another important aspect of the Carb Addicts plan is that you are not permitted artificial sweetener except during your reward meal. 

This can be quite a challenge, especially if you’re accustomed to sweetened coffee in the morning however, it can be well worth the deprivation in the long run as you see those kilos melt away.             

There is no set time for the reward meal however the authors of the plan recommend that the meal take place in the evening because it can take 12 to 24 hours for the body to overcome carbohydrate overload. 

There is also a psychological advantage to having the meal at night, it gives you something to look forward to all day long.             

           

You should begin your reward meal with a salad, such as a Caesar salad or an Oriental salad,  then divide the rest of the meal into thirds:  One third should consist of low-carb vegetables, one-third protein, and one-third carbs. 

This formula has proven successful in enabling individuals to achieve long-term weight loss.              

           

As with many other meal plans, the biggest challenge for those who are on the Carb Addicts Diet is the ability to stick with it. 

Dieting can be hard work, no matter what kind of rewards await an individual at the end of the day, your commitment will enable you to stay with the program, even when it becomes particularly challenging.              

           

Surf the Web and you’ll find a number of testimonials offering glowing reviews of the Carb Addicts Diet but you should keep in mind that results can differ from individual to individual and while some people might see rapid weight loss with the Carb Addicts plan, others may see only moderate weight loss. 

The success of the program may depend on your own individual physiology.              

           

Is the Carb Addicts Diet a fad? 

It all depends on who you talk to. 

While some people see it as a significant dietary breakthrough, others view it as just a passing fancy and medical experts disagree as to whether the Carb Addicts Diet represents sound nutrition. 

In the end, you, in consultation with your personal physician, will have to decide whether the Carb Addicts Diet will work for you.         

As always your comments will be welcome, please leave them below, 

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