The Truth about Carbohydrates, Make the Right Choices
By David Jenkins
The other day, I walked into a sandwich shop for lunch. As I scanned the menu, I noticed the
NEW "Low-Carb" Sandwiches. So, I asked the young man behind the counter what's the
difference between a Turkey on Whole wheat and the "Low-Carb" Turkey sandwich. Guess what
his response was.... "The low-carb one comes on healthy bread". By this point I'm amused, so I
decided to test his product knowledge and ask him what makes the low-carb bread healthy. Like
a deer in headlights he replied, "Well, all I know is that it doesn't have any carbonytrates in it."
That was not a typo, he actually said carbo-nytrates, he didn't even know what carbs stood for.
Obviously he was told to "push" the low-carb options by management. Why, because the low-carb
sandwiches were almost a dollar more than the regular sandwiches.
I'm so annoyed with the low-carb craze because this is a clear example of opportunity seekers
and marketing gurus exploiting America's obsession with losing-weight and low-carb diet
rave (you may recall that the person who authored that diet died of heart disease).
So without further delay, please allow me to educate you on the different kind of carbs.
First of all, I want you to understand that carbs are not bad for you. In fact, carbohydrates are a
nutrient that your body desperately needs to sustain metabolism and provide you energy. The
problem is that most Americans buy the wrong kinds of carbohydrates. You know, the processed
kinds…. the stuff that comes in a cardboard box or a plastic wrapper.
All carbohydrates are a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or polysaccharide. These classes tend to
fall in one of these categories called simple sugars, complex (starchy) carbs, and fibrous carbs.
All of these carbs are safe to eat if you get them from natural sources.
Simple (Sugars) Carbohydrates: These are typically monosaccharides. An example of simple
sugars are most of your fruits.
Good Simple Sugars are: Bananas, Watermelon, Grapes, Pears, Apples, Strawberries,
Cantaloupe, Honeydew, etc. These carbs also have lots of great vitamins, minerals, and other
nutrients that fat cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Though can also have a fibrous
component, such as the skin of the apple or the seeds in the strawberries. An ideal consumption
of simple sugars would by 2-3 times a day.
Avoid these simple sugars: Crackers, White Bread, Most Cereals, Sweetened Juice, Sweet Tea,
(Any sweetened!), desserts, candy bars, etc. This is not real food. Usually depleted of all nutrients
and fiber. Avoid these as much as possible.
Complex Carbs are usually disaccharides. Here are some examples:
Good Complex Carbs: Oatmeal, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Grains, Whole Wheat, Beans,
Lentils, and Peas. Your consumption of complex carbs should also be 2-3 times per day. These
carbs have a fibrous component and also have vital nutrients.
Avoid these complex carbs: Potato Chips, Any thing mashed or fried like french fries, anything
saturated with sugar or butter, etc. I think you get the picture. It's what we do to complex carbs
that make them bad. Once again, try not to buy it from a can or from a cardboard box.
Fibrous Carbohydrates are polysaccharides and are nearly all of your vegetables. These are
the carbohydrates that supply you with the fiber you are missing from your diet. They also aid inThe Truth about Carbohydrates, Make the Right Choices
By David Jenkins
The other day, I walked into a sandwich shop for lunch. As I scanned the menu, I noticed the
NEW "Low-Carb" Sandwiches. So, I asked the young man behind the counter what's the
difference between a Turkey on Whole wheat and the "Low-Carb" Turkey sandwich. Guess what
his response was.... "The low-carb one comes on healthy bread". By this point I'm amused, so I
decided to test his product knowledge and ask him what makes the low-carb bread healthy. Like
a deer in headlights he replied, "Well, all I know is that it doesn't have any carbonytrates in it."
That was not a typo, he actually said carbo-nytrates, he didn't even know what carbs stood for.
Obviously he was told to "push" the low-carb options by management. Why, because the low-carb
sandwiches were almost a dollar more than the regular sandwiches.
I'm so annoyed with the low-carb craze because this is a clear example of opportunity seekers
and marketing gurus exploiting America's obsession with losing-weight and low-carb diet
rave (you may recall that the person who authored that diet died of heart disease).
So without further delay, please allow me to educate you on the different kind of carbs.
First of all, I want you to understand that carbs are not bad for you. In fact, carbohydrates are a
nutrient that your body desperately needs to sustain metabolism and provide you energy. The
problem is that most Americans buy the wrong kinds of carbohydrates. You know, the processed
kinds…. the stuff that comes in a cardboard box or a plastic wrapper.
All carbohydrates are a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or polysaccharide. These classes tend to
fall in one of these categories called simple sugars, complex (starchy) carbs, and fibrous carbs.
All of these carbs are safe to eat if you get them from natural sources.
Simple (Sugars) Carbohydrates: These are typically monosaccharides. An example of simple
sugars are most of your fruits.
Good Simple Sugars are: Bananas, Watermelon, Grapes, Pears, Apples, Strawberries,
Cantaloupe, Honeydew, etc. These carbs also have lots of great vitamins, minerals, and other
nutrients that fat cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Though can also have a fibrous
component, such as the skin of the apple or the seeds in the strawberries. An ideal consumption
of simple sugars would by 2-3 times a day.
Avoid these simple sugars: Crackers, White Bread, Most Cereals, Sweetened Juice, Sweet Tea,
(Any sweetened!), desserts, candy bars, etc. This is not real food. Usually depleted of all nutrients
and fiber. Avoid these as much as possible.
Complex Carbs are usually disaccharides. Here are some examples:
Good Complex Carbs: Oatmeal, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Grains, Whole Wheat, Beans,
Lentils, and Peas. Your consumption of complex carbs should also be 2-3 times per day. These
carbs have a fibrous component and also have vital nutrients.
Avoid these complex carbs: Potato Chips, Any thing mashed or fried like french fries, anything
saturated with sugar or butter, etc. I think you get the picture. It's what we do to complex carbs
that make them bad. Once again, try not to buy it from a can or from a cardboard box.
Fibrous Carbohydrates are polysaccharides and are nearly all of your vegetables. These are
the carbohydrates that supply you with the fiber you are missing from your diet.
YURI I THINK THIS WILL HELP YOU ON YOUR CHIOCE
dr david jenkins
