Good carbs, bad carbs and indicators

[shadow]

After having a recent blood sugar test and finding it was a little high (although considered 'normal' by the average standards of this day and age) I decided to follow Dr. Mercolas advice to eating.

As such I have eliminated grains from my diet (rice was the big one before, along with some processed wheat which needed to go anyways).

Then reading Dr. Sonnons recent post on the immune system and the importance of good carbs I am wondering what RMAX considers as good carbs?

Dr. Mercola states that vegetables provide enough carbs and that grains aren't necessary. So I have been consciously trying to up the level of vegetables I take in my diet as well as protein.


Since starting to eat this way (5th day today) I am feeling my energy levels go up. I actually find that I get full without feeling bloated or uncomfortable.

It seems to be working for me.

Just wondering what the opinion of others out there on this line of eating is?

[Connie Brown]

Any of Schwarzbein's books can tell you more about the carb situation.

Her program calls for balanced meals of protein, good fats, nonstarchy carbs, and starchy carbs too.

It really depends on how you do your protein and veg.

In Schwarzbein terms, if carbs are too low, for example all greens, and protein is high, then you're "using up" your biochemicals. This feels light and energetic, at the expense of revving up your adrenaline/cortisol system. Personally I ran this into the ground, I think, with a long-term bout of low carb a while ago.

However if your meals are balanced with enough energy from carbs, you can also feel good and will not have the downside.

I don't do grains myself (or rarely) but I do use root vegs and fruit for the carb parts. Sometimes soaked and sprouted grains and beans.

It's definitely an art.

[shadow]

Cool Connie, thanks for the reply.

I do feel light and energetic, but not stimulated in any way.

I'm also getting to bed a lot earlier than before (and waking up earlier too), but using fruit and root veggies and stuff like pumpkin was always the intention.



Feel better without grains.

[Luke Chohany]

Shadow,

At one time I also followed Dr. Mercola's carb advice quite closely--minimal fruit/grains and lots of veggies. Personally I've found that as an active athlete I need a good deal of energy-dense carbs. Grains have never digested well with me and in addition I have a gluten allergy, which is fairly common, so I go with fruits.

When it comes to fruit consumption I keep the following in mind:

1. Choose nutrient dense fruits as often as possible--duh!

2. Consume the majority of your fruit right after your exercise or possibly first thing in the morning.

3. Combine fruit with healthy fats (coconut cream/oil, egg yolk, avocado, raw butter, olive oil, properly prepared nuts, raw dairy cream) to slow down sugar absorption.

During the day snack on small portions of low-sugar fruits. You may want to consume a little more at breakfast depending on your body's needs. After workouts I like to stick go with higher-energy but still nutrient dense tropical fruits like pineapple, papaya, and mango. Post-workouts would be the time to eat sweet fruits like bananas and grapes, but there are usually better choices. I have also found that true unheated honey, another great post workout food, at 60+ calories per spoonful surprisingly affects my blood sugar less than fruit sugar.

It's true that vegetables can provide enough carbs, but to optimize performance add in some high-energy carbs. And yes, you can get too much of a good thing--fruits or vegetables. It's just easier to overdo the fruits.

Happy eating,
~Luke

[shadow]

Thanks Luke,

I have sort of been implementing that advice in a way....

mornings I tend to have a banana shake with home-made sesame milk and papaya, pineapple or banana.... with a little coconut oil, spirulina and sometimes raw eggs or soaked almonds or coconut meat (will drink the coconut juice before).

the only fruits I really have any desire to eat are the ones you mentioned: papaya, pineapple, mango, banana.... other tropical fruits (longans, lychees, etc) feel too sweet for me.... as I am in Thailand these fruits, plus coconuts, are in abundance (although mango season will draw to a close soon).... I can also get avocados and have been eating those also.

Also I find my body really enjoys the effects of sweet potato and pumpkins (some places sell pumpkin juice here.... boy my body likes that!).

All in all doing it without grains seems so much better for me.

I'm also going to try get my hands on a kefir culture to make young coconut kefir.... as well as some kombucha.

Thanks for the reply!

[Christopher]

My wife and I recently went Paleo due to some health problems she was having.I did it just to support her and I feel so much better its ridiculous!!Her problem cleared up,we both have increased energy,better digestion ect.and its not as if we ate poorly before. There is much scientific evidence thats grains and dairy are less than excellent food for the majority of people.
Also I avoid banana as it acts as a starch because of the highly hybridized nature.