Carbs have become a source of controversy in recent years. After all the bad-mouthing of carbohydrates, you may have started feeling terrified of toast, frightened of fruit, or panicky around pasta. Is all the hype true? Should carbs be eliminated from our diets? And what about diabetics, should they be limiting carbs? If so, which ones?
The truth is that not all carbohydrates are off the table, even for diabetics. All you need to know is how to properly incorporate them into your diet.
Not All Carbohydrates Are Created Equal
Once you’re diagnosed with diabetes it’s easy to go overboard, eliminating anything that will raise blood sugar levels. This isn’t a great idea. Why? Because carbohydrates are necessary for your body to create glucose – the body’s primary source of energy. Glucose is vital for brain function, mood control, weight loss, and energy. When you exclude every form of carbohydrate you are headed for disaster.
The real problem lies in which kind of carbohydrates you’re eating. Carbohydrates such as donuts, white rice, bagels, pasta, candy, ice cream (among many other foods) are very quickly converted into glucose … too quickly, in fact. This means your blood sugar levels spike, then come crashing down. So how can you tell which carbs are good and which ones should be avoided?
Powerhouse Carbs
Deciphering the difference between good and bad carbohydrates doesn’t take a degree. Diabetics (and everyone else for that matter) should strive to eat a clean diet filled with natural, unrefined foods. Unrefined carbohydrates and those with a low glycemic index are what we like to call powerhouse carbs. These carbohydrates provide sustainable energy for your body.
Examples of powerhouse carbohydrates include:
● 100% stone-ground whole wheat flour
● oats – including oatmeal
● brown rice
● sweet potatoes
● nuts
● fruit (in moderation)
● vegetables
● quinoa
If you’re still unsure of just what to put in your shopping basket during your next visit to the supermarket, download our latest ebook: Swap This for That – Simple Diabetic Food Swaps here: http://bit.ly/1omnD2T Inside you’ll even find a printable food swap cheat sheet!
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Tony Ortiz is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Pharmacist and owner of Atlas Drug and Nutrition at 8416 Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen, New Jersey.
As an anti-aging specialist, Tony often helps people dealing with complex or “vague” illnesses when traditional providers are at a loss. His website http://atlasdrugandnutrition.com, also provides practical help for people struggling with weight gain, hormone imbalance, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Request a free consultation today. Have a question you’d like to see addressed here? Tell Tony via the contact page on our site.