2006-11-13 09:58:19 · 6 answers · asked by teresa_912 1 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
Let me explain why most people think that carbs are the key to weight loss. It's all about "insulin levels." You've probably heard of insulin before and think it only applies to diabetics, but insulin is considered the hormone that causes you to store fat, so anytime you can reduce your level of insulin, you help yourself lose weight........here's how it works
Your body and especially your brain need a certain amount of blood sugar to run, so eliminating sugar altogether will make you very lethargic and could possibly be dangerous.........so, the key is to keep blood sugar levels at a steady low and never let it spike UP.
When your blood sugar suddenly spikes up, your pancreas releases insulin to bring your blood sugar level back down to normal. The insulin does bring your blood sugar level down BUT it also causes your body to store fat. Insulin is like a KEY to your fat cells. The more insulin you have flowing in your veins, the more like the key will be used and fat will be stored. So, in order to keep your insulin levels as low as possible, you need to keep the high spikes from occurring. Notice, I did not say to totally eliminate sugar and carbs......just keep the HIGH spikes from occurring and it is high spikes which cause your pancreas to release insulin.
Get a book which lists foods and their "glycemic index." A food's glycemic index tells you how fast the particular food will spike your blood sugar. The higher the number, the faster the blood sugar would spike and therefore cause insulin release. If you use this book and stick to foods with a lower glycemic index, you are less likely to release insulin and therefore can keep your body supplied with a steady LOW dose of sugar without setting off pancreas and insulin releases.
Most people associate high blood sugar spikes with cake and cookies, and they will spike it high, but did you know that eating a white potato can spike it even faster than chocolate cake??? There you are, thinking you are being healthy, and the baked potato is spiking your blood sugar causing you to release insulin and making you fat. Although white potatoes are considered high glycemic, sweet potatoes are actually considered a lower glycemic as long as you don't use any added sugars when preparing.
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. It's actually very simple to control your weight once you learn that is it actually "insulin" that you want to control.
Good luck!
Robin_in_Tennessee
2006-11-13 10:21:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why carbs? You have to burn off more energy then you consume. Carbs, fats, proteins, makes no difference. It is the # of calories. As soon as you get up eat something, this is crucial. This sends signal to brain no famine no need to hoard calories. By skipping meals u confuse body. It will think maybe hard times and will go into starvation mode & burn calories frugally. Try to eat same time eah day burn off more energy then you ate. Walking is still considered the best.. So get moving. P.S. Avoid empty calories. Those of no nutrional value.
2006-11-13 10:12:58 · answer #2 · answered by mary57whalen 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Instead of going low-carb, you should try a program like Weight Watchers...it's very easy, you can still eat mostly what you want but in smaller portions, and it's something you can do for a looong time, instead of a quick-fix that might lead you to gain all the weight back. Good luck!
2006-11-13 10:01:50 · answer #3 · answered by hollym101 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
weightwatchers is a good program
2006-11-13 10:07:07 · answer #4 · answered by bonkers13642 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
100000000 CARBS SHOULD BE FINE DUDE
2006-11-13 09:59:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
what you should worry most about is calories......
2006-11-13 10:00:35 · answer #6 · answered by renee 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋