Should You Eliminate Carbs From Your Diet?
I am continuously surprised by the number of people I come across who think omitting carbohydrates
(carbs) from their diet is going to solve everything. While eliminating carbs during a short-term body cleanse might be alright, it should most definitely NOT be an ongoing practice. Here are some tips on incorporating carbohydrates into a healthy diet.
Your body NEEDS sugar! Sugar, or “glucose,” is what provides your body energy. You can actually cause problems by having “too little” sugar as well as having “too much.” With protein and carbohydrates, I am always reminded of “Goldie Locks and the Three Bears.” Goldie Locks had to have everything “just right,” and you should, too! Too much or too little protein or carbohydrates disrupts your body’s natural balance.
The biggest mistake that most people make when eating carbs, is that they are consuming the wrong type of carbohydrate. They eat “simple” carbohydrates that have very little, if any, fiber and nutrients. Simple carbs turn to glucose in the body very quickly and, in the cases of processed “sweets”, often get stored as fat versus energy.
Simple carbs include foods like white rice, potatoes (except sweet), pasta, table sugar, candy and most baked goods including bread, crackers, tortillas, pastries, etc.
On the contrary, “complex” carbohydrate contain the fiber and nutrients your body needs to adequately process them. Your body actually works harder to process complex carbs thereby increasing your metabolism. Complex carbs provide a slow insulin release because the glucose conversion is much slower. Your body will properly utilize the glucose from complex carbs as “sustained” energy, versus the “sugar rush” you typically get from simple carbs.
Complex carbs include foods such as green vegetables, whole grains and foods made from them, such as oatmeal, pasta, and whole-grain breads, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and pumpkin and beans, lentils, and peas.
The bottom line is that you NEED complex carbohydrates. Depriving your body of this essential food not
only creates an imbalanced body open for sickness and disease; but it can also cause mental and
emotional disturbances and cravings. A balanced body will NOT crave! Note that cravings typically
come out after prolonged absence of complex carbs. I’ve worked with many clients over the years who,
by adding back IN complex carbs, nipped their cravings AND lost weight!
Please, don’t be afraid of complex carbs. Nature is NEVER wrong! If you need additional assistance with
your journey to health, or would like to further discuss this article, please feel free to contact me to
schedule an appointment.