All the Things
Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, French fries. Cheesecake, cupcakes, apple pie. They all sound so appealing and so very decadent! We’re used to eating these comfort foods – most of us were raised on them. As we’ve gotten older and wiser, both because of life experience and exposure to scientific and nutritional research, we know better. All these carbohydrates just aren’t good for us.
What are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates, or carbs, are a part of our body’s nutritional needs. They’re considered a macronutrient, which means that our body needs them in large quantities to maximize its function. Protein and fat are other macronutrients that we need to function. Our bodies convert carbohydrates to glucose, which, in turn, fuels our brain. Our bodies also need insulin to help break carbohydrates down. When we don’t produce enough insulin to break down glucose, our glucose, or blood sugar, level becomes too high, and we develop pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
While carbs are an essential part of our nutritional needs, the kind of carbs we eat and the number of carbs we consume greatly affect our health and well-being. New clinical guidelines from lowcarbusa.org define low carb diets as the following:
Moderate carb diet -130g of carbs per day
Reduced carb diet- 51-130g of carbs per day
Low carb diet- 30-40g of carbs per day
Very low carb/ketogenic- < 30g of carbs per day
Therapeutic keto- < 20g of carbs per day
Good Carbs VS. Bad Carbs
HEBE Aesthetics and Vitality recommends assessing your carbohydrate intake to help maintain your health. For those without medical or weight loss considerations, it’s recommended that between 45% and 65% of your daily food consumption consist of good carbohydrates. There are two kinds of carbohydrates: refined and natural. Refined carbs include highly processed foods like:
- Cookies
- Potato chips and pretzels
- Soda
- Pasta made from refined white flour
- White bread
Healthy carbohydrate options are:
- Whole grain bread, including 100% whole wheat bread
- Oatmeal
- Vegetables
- Moderate amounts of fruit
- Beans
- Low-fat dairy products
For anyone trying to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, or manage a medical condition like diabetes, insulin resistance, or high blood pressure, your carb intake should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Our medical practitioners, including a board-certified nurse practitioner, can help you determine an appropriate number of carbs to consume daily.
Benefits of a Low Carb Diet
There are numerous benefits of a low carb diet, including:
- Reduction of appetite and food cravings
- Reduction of waist circumference/abdominal fat
- Improvement of brain function, including processing speed and working memory
- Improvement of blood sugar control
- Improvement in both good and bad cholesterol numbers
- Rapid weight loss, especially at the start of eating a low carb diet
- Improvement in some risk factors for heart disease
Besides feeling better and having huge health benefits, a low carb diet can help you manage your weight. When you feel great, you look great!
How HEBE Aesthetics and Vitality Can Help
HEBE Aesthetics and Vitality located in the Atlanta, GA area provides comprehensive care in the areas of wellness and weight loss. After a thorough evaluation including lab work, we will work with you to create a low carb diet that fits your specific needs.
Our team of professionals is fully invested in your wellness. Call (404) 261-5199 or (470) 607-3866 for an appointment or email us at admin@hebeaestheticsandvitality.com so we can help you become the healthiest you possible.
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
