May 2007

Carbs - evil or essential?

High Carb, low carb, no carb, no carbs after 7pm, carbs will make you FAT! How many times have you seen heard or read this? But, the truth is our bodies need carbohydrates to function and burn fat.

Wholegrain carbohydrates (such as brown rice, wholemeal pasta, cereals, fruits and vegetables) are essential to our body's function. These whole grains are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. Antioxidants are proven to fight against disease and also assist in slowing down the ageing process.

Carbohydrates are found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, breads, rice, pasta and even lollies, sugar and soft drinks. These foods provide quick and sustained energy for the body. It is eventually broken down through the process of digestion and converted into glucose. The glucose is then absorbed through the small intestine where it is transported to the cell and then converted to mechanical energy or glycogen in the muscle. Glycogen energy must be present to burn fat.

"Fat burns in the flame of glycogen!"

Initially when we deplete our bodies of carbohydrates we will see a reduction in muscle tissue and water levels, but unfortunately this is not fat! The loss of muscle means a slower metabolism, which will lead to an increase in fat storage.

When the body is starved of carbohydrates and eventually receives them again, the body will store more than it actually requires for function as it doesn't know when it will next get them into the system.

When carbohydrates are unused, they are actually stored as fat in our fat cells and unfortunately for most people this is what is confusing and leads to the beginning of yo-yo dieting.

With the correct eating of carbohydrates, including the right portion sizes and amounts of whole grains, our bodies can function in a healthy way and burn fat!

But remember, carbohydrates is not a dirty word!

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