Weight Loss So Why are Carbohydrates the Bad Guys

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So Why are Carbohydrates the Bad Guys
Certain Carbohydrates have no nutritional value, and even cause us harm -These carbs are known as refined-Carbohydrates

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Certain Carbohydrates have no nutritional value, and even cause us harm -These carbs are known as refined-Carbohydrates.In His book Nutrition & Physical Degeneration Weston Price tells us how a "western" diet of processed foods develops marked dental deformities within two generations. With general health also deteriorating and chronic illnesses starting to become more prevalent.

Junk foods made up of refined carbohydrates, with nutritional empty processed fats, colourings, flavourings make up 75% of western diets. These so called 'convenience foods' play havoc with our bodies

Carbohydrates and Insulin Resistance

When you eat carbohydrates, they are converted into glucose in the bloodstream, which triggers the release of insulin.

However, in the high refined carb world in which we live, we often have to much glucose floating around in the bloodstream, and then the insulin converts it to fat. Our bodies become flooded with insulin and cease to respond to it.

So the pancreas pumps out more and more insulin in a attempt to get energy to the cells. this is know as insulin resistance. Over time less and less glucose gets used as energy and is stored as fat.

Are you Insulin-Resistant?

These symptoms can all be indicative of unstable blood-sugar levels.

Mood swings

Brain fog and an inability to function at your best.

Craving for carbohydrates and feeling of bloatedness and dizziness after eating them

Constant hunger

Best kinds of carbs

The best kinds of carbohydrates are those that release sugar into your system at a steady rate. Dr David Jenkins developed the Glycaemic Index to help diabetics control their sugar levels. The GI of a food measures how quickly and how much it increases your blood sugar level. If the level goes up too much or too quickly, you get that "sugar rush" high, but then your body pumps out insulin to balance out the sugar & your energy levels drop again. Proteins and low GI carbs will help keep your blood sugar levels steadily within the right range. So how do you know what foods are low GI? Visit http://www.ultimate-low-carb-diet-tip.com/carbohydrates.html for a list of GI foods

Each carbohydrate can also be evaluated by its density value. This is the amount of usable carbohydrate in relation to fibre and water content. The more fibre and water a vegetable has, the less usable carbohydrates it will have. The most dense carbs foods are pulses, wholegrains and starchy vegetables, particularly when cooked , these will raise your insulin levels.

Focus on fibrous vegetables that that can be eaten raw or steamed- the type that lose water when cooking.

You also want carbs that are high in micronutrients. The more vitamins and minerals you get in your food, the better. Think colour, the brighter it is the more Nutrients it contains. Eating them Raw wherever possible is the key to maximizing their life enhancing qualities.

Carb-Watchers Can Enjoy Fresh Summer Fruits

(ARA) - Yes, even carb-watchers can enjoy their favorite summer fruits.

While some of the most popular new diet plans leave an impression that the produce department should be avoided, eating fresh fruits and vegetables every day is vital to healthy low-carb eating.

The truth is, many “low carb” plans allow for the consumption of carbohydrates at some point. Diets such as, “The Carbohydrates Addicts Diet,” “Sugar Busters!” and “The Zone” advocate a diet that balances carbohydrates, proteins and fats, rather than eliminating carbs from the diet completely. The “South Beach Diet” actually advocates the consumption of “good carbs” found in fruits and vegetables. And even the strict "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution" allows “nutrient rich” carbohydrates back into the diet following the initial two-week induction phase.

For those following any of these diets, fresh summer fruits are most certainly considered nutrient-rich foods. There are many things inside fresh fruits and vegetables that make them highly beneficial.

They provide an array of vitamins, potassium and dietary fiber in addition to important phytonutrients that are thought to protect against cancer, heart disease and other diseases associated with aging.

Specifically, fresh peaches, plums and nectarines, found in abundant supply throughout the summer, contain the antioxidant, beta carotene, which may protect against cancer, heart disease and other diseases associated with aging. These fruits also have two carotenoids -- luitein and zeaxanthin -- which filter and shield the eye from sunlight, thereby protecting against age-related eye disorders such as macular generation and cataracts. Peaches and plums also contain flavonoids, including some of those found in green tea. Current research has shown that flavonoids may protect humans against cancer and heart disease.

You won’t get all of this in a carb-free burger.

Another thing to consider when choosing carbohydrates is the Glycemic Index (GI) or Glycemic Load (GL).

Low-carb diet proponents often focus heavily on the connection between insulin levels in the blood and how continuous high levels of insulin can contribute to obesity.

Because of this theory, low-carb systems often rate foods according to their glycemic index value, which indicates how quickly the carbohydrates in a food affect blood sugar.

Meanwhile, glycemic load takes into account a food’s glycemic index along with its carbohydrate content in a given serving size, providing an estimate of the quality and quantity of carbohydrate eaten.

Either way you slice it, fruits like peaches, plums and nectarines all have low glycemic index and low glycemic load values. According to the " New Glucose Revolution Complete Guide to Glycemic Index Values ,” fresh peaches on average have a GI of 42, which is considered low, while plums have a GI of 39. They also have a Glycemic Load of about 7, which is also low. As for carbohydrate content, one medium peach or nectarine contains 16 grams of net carbohydrates and two plums contain 19 net carbs. Peaches, plums and nectarines are also low in calories -- 70 for a peach or nectarine and 80 for two plums.

For those who choose low-carb diets, fresh fruits and vegetables should not be eliminated from everyday life. Simply try to select fruits and vegetables that contain low to moderate amounts of carbohydrates, or are low on the GL and GI scales.

The carbohydrates found in fruit such as peaches, plums and nectarines are truly quality carbs. These fruits are plentiful during the summer and they are perfect eaten out-of-hand as a simple dessert or snack any time. They also lend themselves well to recipes that focus on fresh, healthy, low-calorie eating. For example, fresh peaches, plums or nectarines can be added to a green salad to add some zing. They can be blended with fat-free, or low-carb yogurt for a great smoothie. Or try them grilled on the barbeque as a side dish to meats or as a luscious and satisfying dessert.