With all the confusion about carbohydrates, many people are mistakenly avoiding healthy carbohydrates. Not all carbohydrates are the same and some you need. With advice about what you should eat everywhere you look or listen, it’s no wonder people are confused. Every week one of my clients is surprised to hear that a healthy carbohydrate food they are avoiding is part of a good for them. If you know me, you may have heard this before, but I’m sure it will be new to some. Plus it may serve as a reminder to you, or give you confidence you are eating the good stuff. Over the past 20 years, … [Read more...]
There is More Than One Way to Eat Healthy with Diabetes
There is more than ONE way to eat healthy with Diabetes! Last weekend I attended a a Nutrition Conference which had me saying....wait…what? Here I was, listening to a guy with diabetes who keeps his carbohydrate intake as low as possible all the time. No starchy vegetables, grains, fruit, dairy or sweets. This is how Adam Brown manages his diabetes. For him, it works. He would rather skip all foods with carbohydrate than deal with the increase in glucose level that makes him feel ill. I had never heard of anyone with diabetes choosing to give up carbohydrates completely. I know I couldn’t do … [Read more...]
Healthy Eating, Are you Cutting out the Wrong Foods?
Are you Cutting out the Wrong Foods? “I know I need to get rid of rice and bread.” “I’ve cut out pasta so far.” “I really miss eating raisin bran but I’ve avoided it for 2 weeks.” These are things I’ve heard lately. My immediate thought …”I’m so glad I can work with you.” There is no valid reason to eliminate these favorite foods. Actually, you should add them back! I understand the confusion. All the fad diets for the past 20 years have been bashing carbohydrates. According to “Business Wire” the United States weight loss and diet control market is now worth a record $72 billion. … [Read more...]
Why Carbohydrates are Not the Devil
"I know Carbohydrates are the devil!" she said as we were scheduling our meeting for medical nutrition therapy. It made me smile. That's a great way to say what so many people believe. I understand why it is so confusing to know what to believe. After all, people are avoiding carbohydrates and losing weight. People with diabetes and pre-diabetes hear that "carb" turns to glucose so they think it should be avoided. The truth is that carbohydrates are not the devil, but actually an essential nutrient that should be part of every meal. Let's start with the basics. Carbohydrate is one of … [Read more...]