Carb Commando - Carb Counting

Carb Counting Is Not Annoying At All

Low Carb? Yes. No Carb? No. Counting Carbs? Read This.

Alright so here is the skinny on carb counting and whether or not it can make YOU skinny, or whether it is just massive amounts of smoke being blow up your... you know. When it comes to carb counting, many people take an all or nothing approach. Most low carb diets have you cut your carbs completely for at least a couple of weeks, then they reintroduce carbs back into your diet slowly, and it's only the good carbs, not the bad. Knowing the difference is key.

First of all, let's discuss removing carbs from your diet completely.
Cutting out an entire food group, especially one that provides energy, is never a good idea.

Some would argue that using supplements can replace those lost nutrients, but there are certain micronutrients you can only get from food. Many in the medical and nutrition professions are of the opinion that not all carb counting diets may be appropriate for long term health. Most carb counting plans, even those that allow good carbs, don't allow enough carbs, and they allow too much fat. More studies are needed to determine any severe long-term effects of a low carb diet, but most professionals in the dietary field have acknowledged the possibility that it could damage your heart and kidneys if you do it long term. Not to mention that if you're used to having a lot of carbs, and you cut them out completely, you can get very grouchy. So low carb counts have drawbacks.

Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs, and More Carb Counting Than Ever!

People who cut all carbs from their diets are cutting out good carbs as well as bad. (And no--all carbs are not bad. Nor are all carbs created equal.) How do you tell a good carb from a bad? Simple carbohydrates (the bad carbs) like white sugar, white rice and white flour don't have many nutrients for your body to absorb, so your body digests them faster. Complex carbohydrates (the good carbs) like brown rice, oatmeal and whole wheat flour, are nutrient rich, so it takes your body longer to digest them.

Therefore, you stay full longer. Other examples of complex carbohydrates include potatoes, long grain and wild rice, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, beans, cereals and most vegetables and fruits.
These carbohydrates are good for everyone, even those counting carbs.

We're not here to say that being a carb counter is bad. We're saying your body actually does need some carbs, but you have to have the right ones. Bottom line? If you're watching your bottom line, carb counting can be effective as long as you don't cut complex carbohydrates from your diet. Carbohydrate counting is fine, but don't over do it.

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