Nutrition is a prominent topic in our daily lives from mainstream media, billboards, water-cooler talk, fast food menu boards, and even phone calls with our mothers. Everyone has something to say about nutrition. Despite all this information, many Americans are still confused. Take a patient of mine, who said that he routinely looks at “carbon monoxide” on the nutrition facts label to help better control his blood sugars. In his defense, he might just have been nervous in front of the pretty dietitian, but I want to clear things up for anyone else that may possibly be in a similar state of uncertainty and is considering opening up a beautifully-marketed box of carbon monoxide.
While this may seem outlandish, carbon monoxide and carbohydrates do have some similarities. Both are made up of Carbon and Oxygen, with Hydrogen being the only different component of carbohydrates. Both have been used to fuel motor vehicles. Carbon monoxide was used in World War II where gasoline was scarce and new technology is using fermented carbohydrates, in the form of ethanol, to fuel modern vehicles.
And even more striking, both are used as nutrients. This is where the similarities end. Unlike carbohydrates, carbon monoxide is not a nutrient for humans, but rather methanogenic bacteria. While I have taken microbiology classes, I am not well-versed on this subject and will not go further into this but to say that some living things use carbon monoxide as a nutrient. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, are used as the main source of energy for humans, and are the only form of energy used by our human brains.
Another, and this one being major, distinguishing factor is that carbon monoxide is highly toxic, while carbohydrates are not. I suppose some would argue that carbohydates are toxic as well, and I suppose they are correct in certain circumstances, and so I will satisfy their need to argue here. Before the advent of insulin as medication, someone with Type I diabetes would surely die because the breakdown of these carbohydrates would result in too high of blood sugars. Type I diabetes can now be well managed with insulin, diet and exercise. And, I suppose one could argue that eating carbohydrates in excess could cause one to gain weight and lead to obesity and all the related co-morbidities. But, is it really the carbohydrates in this circumstance that are “toxic” or is it mere consumer mismanagement of carbohydrates?
In spite of media sensationalism, carbohydrates are NOT evil. Carbohydrates are essential for human life. Carbohydrates are found in fruits, vegetables, beans, some dairy products, grains, nuts, and seeds. I am not going to go on and on about carbohydrates right now as it will likely get brought up in discussion with roller derby and marathon running. The real issue is the type of carbohydrates we are consuming. I promised to make things simple. Carbohydrates in their “natural” form are what you want to choose. Whole fruits, whole vegetables, whole grains (which is another entire discussion), organic milk and yogurt (will elaborate on organic dairy in another post), nuts and seeds. Notice the word “whole”, this is important. Carbohydrates from refined foods like chips, French fries, white bread, crackers, twinkies, oreos, and cinnamon toast crunch are not the carbohydrates you want to be consuming, even if the box tells you it’s from “whole grains.” Sure, maybe at one time it was a whole grain, before the mill and the bleaching and the sugar addition happened. If most of your carbohydrates are coming from a box, you’re on the wrong track. Don’t let the box fool you!
Bottom Line: Eat carbohydrates mostly from plants; leave the box and the carbon monoxide on the shelf.
This was an informative read! It didn’t even make me feel like a lesser person for not giving up carbs while the rest of the world is living on steak and eggs. Yay me, and yay for carbohydrates! Not so much for carbon monoxide. I ry to limit that in my daily consumption. 😉
There is a funny misconception about carbs out there. As some know, I have joined the rapidly growing population of P90Xers and phase I, lovingly entitled “fat shredder” phase allows only 1 “carbohydrate” per day. They do specify exactly what a carbohydrate is: Whole grains, oat meal, etc. as you have listed above. Here is my problem/question.. When someone, such as myself, who has pounds to lose (around 20 or so), but is extremely physically active (roller derby, P90X workouts every day, personal trainer 2x weekly, reading gas meters, etc.) is asked to limit carbohydrate intake to a single serving per day, how does this affect performance? I am exhausted. The difference in my day is purely P90X and the diet. The workouts themselves are, while definitely challenging, not exhausting, and the longest only lasts for 90 minutes. My brain feels cloudy, I need a nap EVERY day, and I feel like my performance on the flat track is suffering; not necessarily from strength but from stamina. Even with pounds to lose, is a “fat shredder” diet too much for someone who is extremely physically active, or do i merely need to increase my overall caloric intake, using lean protein and veggies to supplement?
Gouge- I just came across this article and thought of you
http://robbwolf.com/2009/10/08/crossfit-on-a-low-carb-paleo-diet-mat-lalonde-reporting/
He says that it took a few weeks to get over the lo-carb slump, but after he was stronger.
Gouge,
I am not surprised that you would be feeling fatigued if you are limiting yourself to “1 Carbohydrate” per day, which is 15grams of Carbohydrates, and would be equivalent to a small piece of fruit, 1 cup milk, 1 slice of bread, 1/3c. cooked, rice, or 3oz potato. 15 grams of carbohydrate is not enough to fuel your activities of daily living let alone the energy demands of your workout regime.
I have read atkins, south-beach, the zone, insulin resistance diet, glycemic index…I have read them all. And, they all have a way of tweaking the same message….eat more carbohydrates from fruits, veg, nuts/seeds, and their branded products, if they have any. Stop eating all the processed carbohdyrates.
I completely understand the diet science behind limiting carbohydrates….reducing carbs reduces the amount of stored water in the muscle (which glycogen needs), and thus, you lose weight. Everyone’s happy, dieter is happy, diet book writers and supplement makers are happy. But, the problem is, and this is not news, most of the individuals that have gone on these diets say the same thing to me…”I lost lots of weight on this low-carb diet, but then I gained it back and then some.” They’re NOT sustainable long-term.
What is sustainable long term? Eating more of the right kind of carbohydrates: fruits, vegetables, organic dairy, nuts, and seeds with limited amounts of whole grains.
Gouge, I would recommend that you add some carbohydrates in these forms to your meals and snacks. Make sure to include some protein at each meal and snack as well. I recommend “The Paleo Diet for Athletes.” If you are familiar with the Paleo diet, it is the same just with some added value for those with high activity levels.
Let me know if you have questions,
Eve
I ❤ eve for doing this. Food and derby – my two favorite subjects.
Love the blog Eve! I wish I could convince my 81 year old grandmother that carbs are necessary and good in their natural state. She’s been on the Atkins since it came out. Well…a form of it. She just eats all the “bars” they have out there, doesn’t exercise and thinks that means she’ll lose weight because it’s “diet food”. Thanks for assuring me I’ve been right by trying to get her to eat better!!
Love the post, Eve! Can’t wait to hear more stories from your world. Oh, and don’t forget to use tags and check categories before you publish each post, you’ll get more hits 🙂 (blog Nazi, out.)