| When it comes to maximizing your energy levels, | | | | for heart disease and blood sugar imbalances. |
| carbohydrates are the best "go" food around. Think | | | | Controlled carb diets may promote a gradual rise and |
| of carbohydrates as gas in your fuel tank. If you | | | | fall of insulin and are therefore more satiating. In high |
| don't provide yourself with carbohydrates throughout | | | | protein/controlled carb diets, it is thought that weight |
| the day, you simply won't have the energy to | | | | loss occurs through consumption of fewer calories |
| function. Now this would be a shame for new moms | | | | resulting from increased satiety. Weight loss also |
| who definitely don't have much of an energy reserve | | | | occurs because very low carb intake triggers a |
| and who have one or more little kids relying on them | | | | condition called ketosis, which forces the body to |
| for just about everything.Everything we eat is made | | | | burn fat stores, but ketosis can be unhealthy if |
| up of some combination of protein, fat, and | | | | continued for a long period of time.The glycemic |
| carbohydrate. Simple sugars, like table sugar, | | | | index measures how quickly a carbohydrate digests, |
| starches, like pasta, and fibre, like oat bran, are types | | | | enters the bloodstream, and raises blood sugar levels. |
| of dietary carbohydrates. All carbohydrates deliver | | | | High glycemic index foods, such as refined flours and |
| four calories per gram. Something to digest: All | | | | high sugar beverages, are quickly digested, causing a |
| carbohydrates are not bad! Carbohydrates are vital | | | | rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin levels. Such effects |
| because they provide the body with the energy it | | | | have been linked to diabetes, overeating, and obesity. |
| needs to support daily activities-from breathing and | | | | Low glycemic index foods, in general, foods high in |
| digestion to thinking and exercise. Consuming whole | | | | fibre and protein, contribute to a steadier blood sugar |
| grain and high fibre carbohydrates, including fruits, | | | | level and have been shown to lower cholesterol |
| veggies, dried beans, and whole grain cereals, breads | | | | levels and decrease the risk of diabetes. Many |
| and crackers will make you feel satisfied for longer | | | | controlled carb diets recommend eating low glycemic |
| periods of time than foods high in refined sugar and | | | | index foods, such as beans, dairy products, fruits, |
| low in fibre (i.e. cakes, cookies, sugary candy, etc.). | | | | and vegetables. Keep in mind that the glycemic index |
| Foods high in fibre expand in your digestive tract | | | | of a food may be balanced in the context of a meal |
| making you feel full. To visualize how fibre can | | | | where several foods of varying glycemic levels are |
| expand, put a piece of whole grain or bran cereal in a | | | | consumed.Remember, many theories exist about |
| bowl with a little water then watch it swell to two to | | | | what constitutes a "perfect" diet. We believe a good |
| three times its original size. This makes it very clear | | | | foundation for any diet consists of a mix of fresh, |
| how fibre can help make us feel fuller.Why do people | | | | minimally processed foods from all food groups, |
| count carbs? In general, carbohydrates cause blood | | | | including: lean proteins; fresh fruits and vegetables; |
| sugar levels to rise quickly while fat and protein cause | | | | whole grain-based breads, cereals, and pastas; and |
| blood sugar to rise more slowly. In response to a rise | | | | heart-healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, and |
| in blood sugar, the body releases insulin, the hormone | | | | avocado. And, just as important, a good diet contains |
| required to bring blood sugar into cells or fat tissue. If | | | | delicious foods you enjoy and is one that you can |
| one eats excessive amounts of carbohydrates, the | | | | maintain as an ongoing lifestyle choicelow carb fast |
| insulin cycle can become imbalanced, resulting in | | | | food articles. Carbohydrate Net is your carb dessert |
| continually raised insulin levels. High insulin levels have | | | | low recipe |
| been associated with obesity as well as increased risk | | | | headquarters. |