Low Carb or Not?
July 23, 2007 4:22 PM
By Susan Parsons MD
To carb or not to carb? That is the question that you may be asking. But before I address this question, let’s look at the history behind the low carbohydrate diet.
As you remember, the low-carb craze really took off when Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution struck a chord with overweight Americans. Many found that they could finally lose the weight. The unmanageable appetite and the overwhelming cravings for desserts and sugary foods were gone! In a nutshell, the carbohydrate diet was surprisingly effective - at least in the short term. Several weight loss studies confirmed that the low carb, high protein diet was not only safe, but seemed to improve certain cardiovascular risk factors.
However, severe carbohydrate restriction for the long haul proved to be difficult, if not impossible, for most. Giving up bread, sweets, and starches seemed too restrictive, too boring. An endless future of eggs for breakfast, with only meat and greens for the rest of the day, was stomach-turning. Even the solace that one could now eat cheese, butter, and cream without guilt was not enough.
Then, along came another cardiologist, Dr. Agatston, with his South Beach version of the low carb diet. By this time, we were ready for it. His low carb approach made more sense without the artery-clogging emphasis on fat. And he let us have our cake … I mean, bread … and eat it too.
The South Beach emphasis was on fish, not red meat. He told us to stick to low fat dairy only. No more cream and butter. This new program with a tropical flare showed how we could ditch the saturated fats, those reported to increase cholesterol and heart disease. Now we could embrace those healthy veggies wholeheartedly and rediscover fruit.
Since then, numerous diets have been introduced that suggest restricting carbohydrates to some degree.
Should you be following a lower carbohydrate diet?
The newest research tells us that it depends on your body chemistry and how well you are able to metabolize carbohydrates.
It also depends on your weight loss goals. If you have an insulin problem, then you will lose weight faster and easier with some type of carbohydrate restriction.
Your ability to handle carbs also depends on how much exercise you do. Heavy exercisers can burn off the extra carbs. In order to exert maximum effort when it counts, athletes must have plenty of glycogen, the storage form of carbohydrates, in their muscles and liver. Couch potatoes, on the other hand, develop love handles when they load up on carbs.
Carbohydrate foods are certainly not all bad foods. This category includes vegetables and fruits. Any diet that excludes these wholesome foods is not worth considering.
Next time, I will provide more specific information to help you choose which carbohydrate foods to include in your diet.
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