Carbs, Part One

DISCLAIMER:  I am all for healthy food.  But I am not an “organic” purist, so stay with me as I talk about today’s topic.  (It’s never that simple though, right?--if I were raising my babies today, I would fork over the extra cash for two things organic:  meat and milk.  You can’t convince me the hormones they feed those poor animals to make them ready for slaughter faster and faster don’t somehow end up in our systems, which wreaks havoc on our poor hormones.   Please don’t ask me for the scientific study to prove my theory.  It’s more based on common sense than anything else.)

Today, before I get to the point, I need to lay some ground work...consider WHOLE FOODS.  (Not the grocery store.)  In the old days, we used to teach “stay as close to the tree as possible.”  What that actually means is to try to eat like our grandparents did.  Joe’s precious family grew up on a farm, and I’ve heard stories about their food for years.  Seems like there was a time that if his mama didn’t raise it or grow it, they didn’t eat it.  

Today, we have (arguably) advanced technology that allows us to keep fresh food cold and to store processed food without fear of spoilage for literally years.  (EWWWW.  Ick.)

What this means is that we are eating food that has been messed with until it and hardly resembles its original form.  And (again with the common sense) while these additives might technically be “safe” according the the FDA, (don’t GET ME STARTED with how whacky they pick and choose what they evidently care enough about to get in the middle of), you must admit, as often as you can avoid them, you should.

So whole foods then are clean, simple, unprocessed foods. 

Got that?  Now hold that thought as we move to CARBOHYDRATES.

Man is that a volatile subject.  Raise your hand if you’ve ever tried, or read about, or knew someone who’s been on a “no carb” diet.  Someone, (perhaps Dr. Atkins, who sure did have a heart attack, may he RIP) convinced us a long time ago that carbs were evil and should be avoided if you have want to have any real weight loss.  (Bull.)  

After people began having life threatening health issues from overloading their poor bodies with TOO MUCH protein, generation two of the “no carb” diets refined it to “low” or “good” carbs.  

Hear me well.  Your body NEEDS a balance of all three nutrients:  proteins, carbohydrates and fats.  You will be soooo sorry if you cut out any one of these altogether.  I have seen the evidence of many a dear soul who has tried to beat the system and cut out fat.  Or carbs.  Or even protein.  Believe me, it ain’t pretty.

Dang it.  I’m so wordy, and so full of information that I fear making these blogs too long will make readers stop before they actually get to the message.  So, I’m going to stop here.  Tomorrow, I’ll unpack and hopefully clarify this carb mystery once and for all...Come back!