by Dr. Krystosik
Food fads come and go. But like a hurricane, the latest low-carb diet craze has wiped bread and baking companies off the map, it’s also swept away pasta and doughnut companies. Even though the recent storm of low-carb diets is small, still some Americans are in a bewildered state of “carbophobia.”
From the moment I heard about the low-carb diet over 25 years ago, I’ve been on a mission to get carbs back as the centerpiece on American’s plates. Even with the recent flurry of low-carb diets (paleo diet, keto diet, etc.,) for the most part they have faded into oblivion. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of aftermath from this diet crazes’s destructive influence on American health. Many people still have a fear of eating carbs. I believe we need to rebuild an eating strategy that will
transform the American menu into a good carbs celebration. My goal is to clear up the confusion surrounding carbs once and for all. I like to use common sense, supported by science, in concert with nature to unlock the secrets and tasty benefits of what I refer to as Carbs from Heaven.
Americans are hungry for the truth about carbs. A survey in commissioned by the International Council (IFIC) Foundation provides a snapshot of the perceptions Americans have about the role of carbohydrates in their diet. Among the dramatic findings, they discovered that 20% of consumers still believe carbs cause weight gain. Yet, 75% of Americans are trying to eat more whole grains but need guidance about which carbs were safe to eat. Susan T. Borra, president of the IFIC Foundation and the past president of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), concluded, “Our research suggests that consumers are still confused about weight management and how to include carbohydrates in a healthful diet.”
I’m on a personal mission to let people know that carbs are not the reason Americans are tired, sick and overweight. The truth is all carbs are not created equal. There are carbs that tack on pounds and carbs that shed pounds. Refined carbs like white rice, white bread and white sugar are bad. Fruits, vegetables and whole grain carbs like brown rice, quinoa, and yes even whole wheat (assuming you are not gluten sensitive) are good carbs.
Here is some good news. According to Dr. Oz, if you eat the following carbs, you can lose 25 lbs. over the next year. If you switch to VolkornBrut rye bread (available in supermarkets and health food stores) from the fake white bread most American’s eat, over the course of one year you will lose 5 lbs. If you switch to baked lentil chips instead of greasy potato chips, over the next year you will lose another 5 lbs. And pasta lovers, listen to this, if you switch to Hodgkin’s Mills gluten free, brown rice and flax seed pasta instead of the refined white pasta,
over the course of one year you will lose a whopping 15 lbs. The truth is most everyone loves carbs. Now you can eat carbs lose weight and feel great.
There’s one caveat. If you have a hidden food allergy to one or more carbs, even if they are healthy carbs, you will tack on pounds. That’s why I don’t guess when it comes to my patient’s health—I test. I do a simple blood test to personalize each patients diet. Without counting carbs, fat grams or calories they lose weight and many or all of the symptoms they have been suffering with for years. Keep watch for my next post on Carbs from Heaven and Carbs from Hell.
Dr. Krystosik is northeast Ohio’s leading expert in functional medicine. He is a board-certified chiropractic physician with an undergraduate degree in clinical nutrition. Dr. Krystosik is the author of 5 books on nutrition and natural medicine, a nationally known speaker, and the host of the “The Other Side of Medicine” radio program on WNIR 100.1 FM the “talk of Akron,” Sundays afternoons from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. For more information go to www.TheOtherSideofMedicine.com
