Smart Carbohydrates. Yes... CARBS!

Hello all and may I say HAPPY MONDAY! Recently, I bought this book Food Cures and was inspired to write this next blog! While sitting in the tire shop having my tire changed (Remember, it popped on the way down to Savannah!), I read about "The Smart Carbs- Foods for Fighting Flab and Insulin Resistance" and simply could not put it down. Why? How many times has your mom went on a Low-Carb diet? Or just simply cut every single carb out of her diet? Carbs have gotten the absolute worst reputation is the nutrition and diet world! But, what exactly is a carbohydrate?
Carbohydrate: compounds composed of carbon (C), oxyzen (O), and hydrogen (H), arranged as monosaccarides or multiples of monosaccarides (disaccharides, polysaccarides). In simple terms-- carbs provide ready fuel for your body and are the best source of energy for your brain!


The early 1990's came out with many low-carb diet books that blamed everything from flabby thighs to bulging hips on carbs. But, bashing all carbs never really made a lot of sense... when recent studies came out it proved that carbs are really like some of our healthy essential fats: Some are essential to a healthy diet and some should only be eaten for an occasional treat! It makes sense right? Whole grain bread and butterfingers can not be in same category! 


The Whole Truth:
Way back in the day (around the 17th century) is when then sophisticated milling techniques we know today came in to use. The "rich" were able to mill the coarse whole grains into fine white flour needed to bake into white bread, this was considered a luxury. The dark, grainy bread that the poor were eating was actually more nutritous and the rich were paying more for imperfection. When you strip away the bran(outer layer) and the germ(portion that helps sprout new plants) you are striping away many vital nutrients, such as B vitamins, trace minerals, and protein. When you buy white bread at the store, there is absolutely NO grains in this bread! Also, when you refine bread, you will remove the fiber.



Fiber: Natures Secret
Promote regularity through two types... it passes slowly through the stomach to the intestines which makes you feel fuller longer!


Soluble-- this stuff will turn into gel in your intestines. It will help pull cholesterol along as it moves through your body and helps prevent clogging arteries. Good sources of soluble fiber include oats and oatmeal, legumes (peas, beans, lentils), barley, fruits and vegetables (especially oranges, apples and carrots).
Insoluble--It passes through our digestive system in close to its original form.Most of insoluble fibers come from the bran layers of cereal grains.


So, this is what i say to you... do not cut out all those beautiful carbohydrates! The whole grains, the fruits (fructose), dairys (lactose)... all are essential for your brain to function! Stay in good spirits and of course, good health!! LOVE YOU GUYS :)


oh, and hey mckenna lavery!

Brianna