Winning the "Battle of the Bulge"

by Jody Perrecone

Is limiting carbohydrates the way to win “the battle of the bulge?”  By limiting carbohydrates, the theory is that insulin levels would be lower.  One of the functions of insulin is facilitating fat storage.  If it were as simple as limiting carbohydrates to limit fat storage, it might make sense.  But the body is very complex.  Isolating one body function and expecting specific results without looking at how it affects the rest of the body is being short-sighted.  Body functions are not compartmentalized – thousands of body functions work together in harmony.  Diets such as limiting carbohydrates are trying to fool the body.  You can’t fool Mother Nature, and that is why diets don’t work.

People who come up with the latest “diet du jour” can make a good income selling books and supplements.  People who buy into these diets can be disappointed, and they often are.

So what are we to do?  How do we win “the battle of the bulge?”  The best advice here is this - don’t fool Mother Nature.  Eat foods the body was designed to metabolize.  Our bodies were not designed to eat fried foods, half pound cheeseburgers, 600 calories beverages, foods that come in crinkly bags, and 1500 calorie desserts!

Our bodies were designed to eat whole foods – foods-as-grown.  Whole grain carbohydrates, such as brown rice and whole wheat bread, are “good carbs” and won’t spike insulin levels. Bean burritos, oatmeal with chopped apples, vegetable soups, whole wheat pasta with vegetables, broccoli salad, or a variety of cut fruits for dessert are ideas of where to start.  All are foods as grown or minimally processed foods, and the body knows how to metabolize them. They are loaded with nutrients and fiber and low in calories. 

Eat foods-as-grown, and you will win “the battle of the bulge.”