Carb discussion, part 1

One of my readers brought up a really great point last week...

After a quick video I posted giving the thumbs up for eating pasta, she was adamant in mentioning that reducing processed carbs really is essential for good health and for excess fat loss.

Well, let's delve into that topic.

First of all, let's determine the real message of my video...

Mike Roussell was simply stating that -
When processed carbohydrates like pasta are eaten immediately after a strenuous workout, those carbs are NOT converted to fat.


While I agree that overconsumption of processed carbs is one of the main reasons for obesity and health issues in current society...
I can also share with you that processed carbs are not inherently bad.


Eating one serving of a processed carb here and there will not strike you down where you stand.


They are only "bad for you" if you eat them in excess OR when you replace them for other essential, nutrient-dense foods.


More importantly, what the video's research (and other research) shows is that there is a good and bad TIME to eat starchy carbs. Both processed and unprocessed carbs, for that matter.


'Carbohydrate timing' is a concept that is very useful in fat loss circles.
It takes advantage of the concept that the body can more effectively utilize carbs at certain times. First thing in the morning, and in the 2-3 hours after strenuous exercise, starchy carbs are more apt to be used by the muscles, instead of stored as fat.


Yes, starchy carbs elicit the response of insulin. But insulin is NOT just a hormone that pushes excess sugar into the fat cells... Nope! It's also a hormone that pushes nutrition into the muscle cells, too!


So, if you give the body a specific food that increases insulin (like pasta, or any other starchy carb), BUT you administer that food immediately after you kick your own butt in the gym... the insulin will work in your favor.

That's right! The carbs will not be stored as fat... they will be pushed into the muscle and used to help the muscles recover.

Brilliant.


So, no, I don't agree with the people who believe that starchy carbs should be eliminated from the diet. I don't agree with the idea that grains were not around in the lives of our neanderthal ancestors, so we shouldn't be eating them. Far from it!

I can tell you from personal experience - and from client results - that starchy carbs CAN have a healthy place in your diet. If you eat them at the right times AND if you make sure to include all other major macronutrients into your daily eating habits.

BUT...
My well-intentioned reader was also right about processed carbs.
They are way too prevalent in today's dietary structure.
I can't deny her that fact.

I want to talk more about the overconsumption of processed carbs -
But you'll just have to wait til tomorrow!