It started with...
low carb bread
low carb pasta
low carb beer
(kinda makes sense)
But now...
low carb nutrition bars?
low carb cookies?
low carb candy bars?
low carb veggie burgers?
low carb milk??!!
low carb cranberry juice???!!!!
I just picked up a copy of my good health bible, Self magazine, at Border's the other day. And reading it after a 4-month hiatus, I've been completely overwhelmed by America's low carb craze. All of the products I listed above are from actual ads in just one issue of Self, by the way.
The magazine itself regularly reports on the value of fiber. It notes that we should not avoid all carbs -- carbs from whole grains are just fine, desirable even, as they keep our digestive systems running smoothly, reduce cholesterol, and fight fat by keeping us feeling satisfied and full. We should cut back on refined carbs from white bread and regular pasta, but it's ridiculous to say that we should avoid eating whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta, brown rice, beans, or whole grain cereals, much less carrots or fruit because they're "high carb" -- oh, and replace these nutritous foods with ones packed with saturated fats, like bacon and steaks.
It just drives me nuts how obsessed Americans become about one diet trend after another, all the while getting fatter and fatter. Why? Because those low carb products ARE NOT GOOD FOR YOU, people!!! They are packed with non-nutritional fillers, chemicals, and additives. They're pure JUNK. You want to eat healthy? Pick up an apple or munch on a carrot. Go ahead! Don't count the carbs when you do it. Make yourself a salad with some lean protein. Whip up a mango smoothie with low fat yogurt. Have a piece of cheese. In short: Eat REAL FOODS. You want to lose weight? Don't send your body into a state of ketosis and risk permanent liver damage! Exercise, darnit! Get out there and move! It's really not that complicated.
Now I'm going to go eat a nice high fat, high carb brownie and call it a night.
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