Are you a Carb-a-holic?

Its going to be no surprise when I tell you that the heavily processed carbohydrates in cheaper foods and snacks can get you hooked. The sugar-rush they trigger stimulates the same areas of your brain as nicotine and other addictive drugs. Carbs are sugars and starches that are prevalent in foods such as pasta, bread, cereal, potatoes, biscuits, sweetened drinks and beer. When you eat carbs your body secretes the hormone insulin, which regulates blood-sugar levels.The carbs are quickly digested into glucose. “The resulting sugar-rush in your blood-stream activates the same reward centre in the mid-brain that gives a sense of a hit or ‘high’

How do we stop it?

1) The mineral magnesium plays a key role in carb control but is excreted through the kidneys due to the intake of refined sugars. Studies have shown that taking around 300g a day can regulate insulin release, even in those with type-2 diabetes.
2) Dont Bleech it- never ever have white bread, pasta, rice. Keep to wholemeal, buckwheat & spelt for your complex carb options. They will fill you uo for longer and provide a much longer release of energy.
3) Control your portions Starchy carbs should be part of your diet but just don’t overdo it! Food Standards Agency research found a link between people’s ever-larger conception of portion size and weight gain. Limit carbs at meals to a fist-sized amount.
4) The right five-a-day Eating fruit and veg helps to prevent the build up of insulin resistance.Focus on the more alkaline foods-green vegetables, lemons, limes, lentils, split peas, any beans or pulses.

What About Health?????

Having high blood-sugar levels isn’t good for you, so your body responds by producing more insulin to bring them down. But the effect of the insulin is to encourage your body to store energy as fat.
You Are What You Drink- Alcohol and caffeine increase cortisol levels – a stress hormone that triggers fat storage. Moderate levels are acceptable but mixing the two is a big no-no. If you’re on wine during dinner, skip the coffee.
Eat too many carbs too often and your liver becomes increasingly resistant to insulin. Greater resistance means more carbs are needed to achieve the ‘high’. Foods high in sugar are generally not filling and can become habit forming. The combination of insulin resistance and a high-carb habit means excess blood-sugar is stored as even more fat, and you gain weight. The heavier you are, the more carbs your body craves. You go back to your dealer to pick-up a fresh hit.

Lets make a change now before xmas kicks in!!

Stuart