Low Carb, a Lifesaver for Some
Low Carbs for Some is Lifesaver
Most Endocrinologists counsel their diabetic patients that the key to
maintaining good sugar levels is not so much about restricting the intake of
sugar as it is about limiting the number of carbohydrates. For example, after
3-4 days of following a high-fat, low-carb diet, the body is depleted of glucose,
which is a source of energy that comes from eating carbs, reducing glucose
levels. Many people are on low carb diets to maintain or lose weight. With a
growing number of Americans desiring to live a healthier lifestyle, low carb
diets not only gained in popularity, but it gave rise to the wildly popular keto
diet.
The keto diet became a sensation especially after news stories of people
losing as much as 50 pounds or more, thanks to a diet which is low in carbs
but high in fats, leading some to say that the high fat content did not give them
the desired results in terms of weight loss. The keto diet is about eating a lot
of high-fat foods, a moderate amount of proteins while cutting down carbs to a
minimum. Typically, a keto diet involves getting 70% of calories from fat, 25%
from proteins, and 5% from carbs, according to most nutritionists.
To adjust one’s diet according to that criterion, it is necessary to thoroughly
review the ingredient panel on a product. While restaurants often flag keto
foods on their menus, the average product on supermarket shelves does not.
Nor can one discern these features by shopping online, save for a new
website for kosher foods, Ess Gezunt, which actually flags low-carb food
products.
The keto diet is about eating a lot of high-fat foods, a moderate amount of
proteins while cutting down carbs to a minimum. Typically, a keto diet involves
getting 70% of calories from fat, 25% from proteins, and 5% from carbs,
according to most nutritionists.
What this tells us is that when we do look at the percentage of carbs in a
product is that we are most often looking in the single digits. Diabetics who
have trouble keeping their glucose level below 7 find that controlling their carb
intake gives them a steadier reading of lower glucose levels and ultimately an
A1C lower than 7, which is recommended by doctors to avoid complications
such as heart disease and vision loss.
Counting carbs is not for everyone especially for people who find it hard to
control their cravings. But for those that can and are serious about restricting
their intake of carbs, a low carb diet is ideal. Thankfully, there are now
shopping venues like Ess Gezunt which enable people on low carb diets to
find the products that are good for them. Whether diabetic, weight conscious,
lactose intolerant, or any other malady that requires specialty health foods Ess
Gezunt is progress!