PQTD 110 There is NO dietary requirement for Carbohydrates!
There’s no such thing as an essential carbohydrate
One of the first things that need to be elucidated are the absolute essentials for human survival and health.
They are these:
* Amino acids
* Fatty acids
* Electrolytes
* Vitamins
* Minerals
* Water
* Energy
Of these, it is the last – energy – which generates an overwhelming majority of the controversy and conflict in nutrition, which is largely defined not by science but agendas ranging from political and ideological to completely nonsensical.
This controversy however does not exist when you remove such influences from the scenario, there is no confusion in the science.
Any biology or medical biochemistry literature will confirm this simple fact: the human body has no dietary requirement for carbohydrates.
That is a quote I found on line, illustrative of something that comes up all too frequently. Virtually everyone who is “new” to paleo nutrition has the reaction that “No- carbohydrates are necessary for energy! We can only hold a small amount in reserve in the form of glycogen, and then need to replenish it with carbs and/or sugars!”
And of course, carbs are sugars, they convert readily to that form of energy, with all of it’s good and bad effects on the body. And in the modern day, most of the effects on the body of sugars and carbs are NEGATIVE.
Now, I’m not anti-carb, by any means- I had some sweet potato slices with my grilled barbecued chicken quarters just today for lunch! But this amount of carbs is more of a “garnish” of carbs. My total for the day will be well under 100 grams of carbohydrates, of course NONE of which is from wheat or other grains. And I had about a 45 minute workout this morning, and will do about 20 minute one this afternoon, right after I finish up here. (That’s how I reward myself)!
But I really want you to remember this one simple thing: carbohydrates are NOT necessary for health. Say that to yourself 10 times. ReGRAINwash yourself! We have all been so brainwashed into believing in the necessity of carbs, especially in the form of grains in our diet, that it is a hard thing to unlearn. But it is indeed true:
Carbohydrates are not necessary for health!
So, while everyone around you is having toast and pancakes with their eggs, and you have maybe eggs with avocado (delicious by the way!), just smile and nod politely when they say “you’ll run out of energy later”. You won’t, they will after their blood sugar spikes, and insulin has to also spike to bring it back down. (Insulin is the “aging hormone”).
And later, when they have a big hamburger with a bun and fries, and you have a grass fed burger with onions, pickles, mustard, tomato and cole slaw, don’t be judgmental, but know that they are again going to go through a
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