This lesson was very confusing to me. Originally I was thinking that I already knew what I needed to know about eating, but Maybe I was wrong.....Do I eat carbs or not? I thought that carbs gave me nervous enery because of all of the sugar? And now it is telling me that they can help relax me? I'm so confused and would appreciate any input that I can get. Thanks

hankim,
I believe what they were saying was...
at first when you eat a meal high in carbs, your body slows way down and you get tired so your body can digest it. It gives off a relaxing/tired feeling.
As you digest the carbs, your body stores it as fat and saves it until you need energy.

Anyone else on this one??

I just read the Dr. Atkins diet book and I found it very interesting. My hubby is actually doing the diet. He is feeling much better becuase the carbs for him were causing him to be very bloated, alot of heartburn, and lots of gas. He is not having those problems now and is losing weight. He eats plenty, takes his vitamins and he doesnt seem to have the mood swings he was having before. So, for him, its working great. I have cut down on carbs, not these last few days, but I just don't want the spikes in my blood sugar level. Can't be good for you. I think I will work on just incorporating more whole grains and less starchy, sugary, stuff. And more proteins too. ANyways, thats my 2 cents. Reena

Ther are (very) different kinds of carbohydrates...Candy bars and the like are the ones you should not eat. Veggies, fruits and whole grain carbs are the ones you can and should.
go and get a good nutrition book at a bookstore. Nutrition and the body are interesting stuff!

gina

It is my understanding that some higher carb foods are alright for us if they have additional FIBER in them. The fiber slows everything from being digested and absorbed and therefore does not allow that insulin spike that we sometimes experience after eating higher carb food.

If you read the nutritional values of a bag of Whole Wheat Penna noodles and compare that to Enriched pasta - you will notice that the carbs, proteins and fats are all identical. But the fiber content for Enriched pasta is only one gram while the fiber content for Whole Wheat pasta is SIX grams.

Way better for you.

I just read in Women's World that a lack of FISH FAT (Omega) is being contributed to depression. We simply aren't eating enough fish.
Shawn.

Depends on whether you call a carb a piece of candy or brown rice.

Balance is the main thing I strive for in my diet, however, I make sure I eat protein with every meal. What a difference. I used to have headaches everyday until the high protein diets came back in fashion. That's when I realized how all these low fat diets were loaded with carbs.

The food pyramid we grew up looking at is in transition. Not so many carbs.

------------------
Don't take anything personally.
Always be impecable with your word.
Don't assume anything.
Always do your best!

Carbohydrates are necessary for energy and for good nutrition. What you need to be careful of is too many sweets. To the person above with the Atkins diet, be careful. while it is true you can lose weight on it, it in and of itself is not healthy. It is way too much fat. I've known a couple of people who have done this diet and lost weight along with their gallbladders. If you do this diet long enough, you'll end up with a lot higher cholesterol than you started with. Not trying to be critical, just trying to give a little info. Good luck all.

I follow a lower-carb diet. I am allergic to whole wheat, but use brown rice, oats etc. I eat plenty of vegetables.I love veggies! And fruit but I limit the fruit. I try and stay away from the starches and sugar. I eat lots of protein. I feel so much better when I do follow it, even though I do allow myself treats. I dont have the mood swings or energy level drop when I do this. I had a physical last Nov. (for life insurance) and everything came back wonderful ( cholestrol level, weight, blood pressure , that stuff) I was happy with it.

does anyone have a suggestion for a good nutrition book? That really makes sense about the fiber slowing down the digestion, etc. ButI am still confused about what to have for SNACKS that are high in protein? I always seem to go back to peanut butter but it is so high in fat! Any suggestions? I get a spike if I just have fruit.

Hey Cort. I don't have a suggestion for a good nutritional book but look into a cereal product called KASHI (search for it online, they have a great website) and you can purchase it at any grocery store but it may be in with the health food. It is a high fiber cereal with 8 grams of fiber in each serving. It's only 120 calories and 1 gram of fat for a cup of it and it is yummy. The Kashi Lean Crunch reminds me of Sugar Smacks.
There are 20 carbs in a serving but with that much fiber it all evens out. To boost the protein content I add the cereal in with a half cup of low fat yogurt. Plus it fills you up for long periods.

For another high protein snack - good old tuna fish. The albacore has 16 grams of protein in each serving, only 60 calories, zero carbs and something like 1.5 grams of fat. Plus it is full of the B vitamins which are good for those of us with anxiety and depression.

Motzerella cheese is high in protein and lower in fat than the other cheeses.

shawn.

[This message has been edited by briggslady (edited 03-06-2002).]

Cort,

I am listening to the audio book Eating Well for Optimum Health : The Essential Guide to Bringing Health and Pleasure Back to Eating by Andrew Weil.

I was looking for an easy read. Well, this book is not. But Dr. Weil gives a lot of information about why certain nutrients are good and others are not. For example, we don't really need as much protein as most people believe. Carb is a relatively clean fuel. Carb leaves only water and carbon monoxide. Protein, on the hand, leaves ammonia, which is toxic, especially for brain cells. Our kidneys (and liver?) have to work really hard to clean up the waste left behind by protein, if we are on a high protein diet. Of course, too much of anything could cause side effect. But I appreciate Dr. Weil breaks it down for me to understand. I really am not curious about the chemical properties of saturated fat at all, believe me . But if I have to know it to make better decision in health, then I would learn... even just a little bit about some basic.

Hankim,

I am just as confused as you are. One day you are told this food is good; next month it is bad. I am both tired and angry at the conflicting information. You know what, NOBODY is in charge here. NOBODY can give us a straight answer. But the information is out there. Understanding the information allows us to go behind the claims and marketing strategies of food manufacturers.

Sorry if I am a bit heated. I had been confused and been pulled to different directions for way too long. And I am tired of having other people draw conclusions for me, high-carb, high-protein, cabbage soup...

About the book ... , I plan to buy the printed version of "Eating Well for Optimum Health : The Essential Guide to Bringing Health and Pleasure Back to Eating". I need to see the words to really remember all the great information.

drop

[This message has been edited by drop (edited 03-06-2002).]

There is also a book called Body for Life. It incorporates excercise with good nutrition. Getting the right protein in the right amounts is the key to maintaining energy and even blood sugar levels. I believe this is talked about. I don't know the name of the author, but I've known people who have done this, and they seem to really be excited about it.

Hankim

All the posts make good points, but it seems to make things more confusing.
You know what I do and think is best? Eat everything in moderation. (a little butter, a little salt, cut back on whole milk-but still drink it, fruits and veggies, small amounts of protein -size of my fist, and avoid all caffeine, refined sugar, artificial sweetners and processed foods. I really do believe if we ate foods in their natural form like we did 100 years ago, we'd all be doing a lot better. I don't think it is so much what food groups we eat, but eating what I call "fake" foods. We can't possibly tolerate all the dyes, preservatives, chemicals and refined foods that we consume here on a Western diet. I have a firm belief in this. For instance, My dad ate eggs every morning for about 40 years before he went to work. He also uses butter and cream. His cholesterol is quite normal. My mom watched her diet and had high cholesterol and died from cancer 6 years ago.
I think we just need to use the common sense that God gave us. I am not saying that diet is the cure for anxiety. I think we are naturally proned to it, but our improper diets absolutely affect the intensity of anxiety and our bodies' abilty to cope with anxiety. Good luck.

Gator

I started the body for life program and I have to say, I do feel better. You eat 6 meals a day, getting something in your body every 2 to 3 hours. It also includes an exercise program that is pretty good and not really time comsuming.

In this diet you eat equal portions of good carbs and protein. Quanity is measured by the size of your fist. (Skinless chicken and a serving of brown rice, for example) Other sources of protein are egg whites, yogurt and cottage cheese. I would have these for my inbetween meal snacks.

I have never ben a person to eat much meat ad I have to say...the addition of protein has really made a difference. I feel less mood swings and more "even" thoughout the day. Carbs have a way of satisfying at the time or calming you and then dropping off.....leaving you cravng or feeling antsy later. The combo and the eating every few hours seems to keep things in check.

BOTTOM LINE
Stay away from candy, sodas, chocolate, high sugared drinks, lotsa pasta, lotsa white rice, ice cream, etc. AND CAFFEINE, of course. Then see how much better you feel.

I remember that part and can see how someone could get confused.

I heard them to mean that if you are a runner and/or exercise alot to make sure you get your carbs. Remember, they mentioned that oatmeal would be good for someone who has a job where they burn alot of energy and someone who sits a lot maight not want as much carbs because then they'd be sitting at their desk all revved up.

There's a BIG difference in complex carbohydrates and plain ole white table sugar and the sugar in sodas, white rice, white bread, etc. Remember, they mentioned that a glass of orange juice could make one panic or hyper and an orange won't because there's much less concentrated sugar in it and is harder to digest (which is good).

BALANCE is the key.
Have an egg (protein) and an orange (carbohydrate).

------------------
Don't take anything personally.
Always be impecable with your word.
Don't assume anything.
Always do your best!