“How many carbs should I be eating?”
Food Confusion is a real thing. Today, there are so many diets, and “ways” to eat, I would like to clear up a little confusion. Remember, this is about how you want to experience life in your body, not about a diet, not about what your best friend, neighbor, or sister are doing.
Choose the Carbohydrates that fuel you not harm you.
When you break your dependence on carbohydrates, you kick start your metabolism and radically improve your longevity genes. I will assume you know your body does not thrive on processed carbs like bread, cereal, pasta, (including Gluten Free) and other packaged and processed foods. What you fuel your body with is not only about a number on the scale, but about avoiding disease, illness, and living better longer.
No one wants to be sick, to have diabetes, Alzheimer’s, be at risk for heart attacks or strokes.
I have all of my clients take note of what they feel like after they eat. Take note of when you feel like “crap” after eating. WRITE IT DOWN, keep track. This method brings awareness to which foods negatively impact you.
Here is my consensus on carbohydrates:
- Find healthy carbs you enjoy and don’t make you feel sluggish, or put you on a sugar rollercoaster. My favorites are sweet potatoes, squash, blueberries, radishes, and jicama – they are full of fiber and nutrients.
- Always focus on plant-based carb sources – green leafy veggies, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and Bok Choy.
- Aim for one pound of high-fiber vegetables a day. Oh, did I mention a variety of vegetables?
- Add in low glycemic fruits, like berries.
- Your gut and brain may not tolerant grains, for example, I do not. (more on this another day).
- Discover what gives you consistent energy physically and mentally. (Journal your food)
- Adopt a no stress philosophy about food. When you know what works best for you, you will not “worry” about what others are eating. You will love that you CHOOSE only food that makes you feel GREAT.
A Carbohydrate Dependent Society
As a society, we have become very carbohydrate dependent. There is a feasibility that you are putting too much sugar from certain carbohydrates into your body. The reason you should be concerned is the cost it will have on your health, your pocketbook, and the number of healthy years you live.
You are not depriving yourself when you say no to a morning muffin, cereal, donut or a hamburger bun. Consider this, you are depriving yourself of better health when you eat those type of carbohydrates.
I guarantee if you get off your dependence on simple starchy carbohydrates, you will feel stronger, healthier, happier, and more energetic.
I encourage you to have your blood glucose levels checked if you have not done so in the past six months. If you need ideas of “healthy swaps” for your current carbohydrates, give me a shout.