I disagree about the doctor’s belief in non-essentiality of carbs. I will not drag folks through that argument here though, but remind me to explicate it when I see you next. I will also eventually follow up on the addiction-absitnence argument. An unfortunate side effect of law school though, is not having as much time to engage in these fun discussions, let alone have the time to type them out.

The concerns she had with this ultra-low-carb diet wasn’t exactly the same as what you’re saying. She assured me that while there are essential amino acids and essential fatty acids, there are no essential carbohydrates for normal development.

Relief.

But there are many constituents of vegetables (like vitamins, minerals, and other novitamin chemicals…like phytochemicals) that are crucial to diet and can’t be contained through conventional vitamin supplements.

And to Jonah, the “gazillion studies” can be countered by a gazillion more. In fact, this study says that after-meal blood sugars are more likely than fasting blood sugars to cause cardiovascular damage. Low carb and low insulin dosage equals little “mistakes.” Large carb intake and large insulin dosage equals larger mistakes.
.-= mike´s last blog ..This is the one about carbs (again). =-.

It seems to me that there are many diabetics, particularly those whose bodies produce significant insulin, who find diabetes easier to manage when they eat lower carb, and in those instances it may be worth the difficulties of eating low carb and the heart risk.

However, as a person who doesn’t get better blood sugar when eating low carb, and as a vegetarian, and as an underweight person, I see absolutely no benefit to eating low carb.

What reading of the research I have done, as well as my personal experiences over the last three years, strongly suggest to me that I will get better blood sugar control when I eat more carbs, and that I will be overall more healthy.

I agree with the above posters that craving doesn’t mean addiction in a bad way. I mean, I’ll crave water if I don’t drink it! I craved carbs like crazy when I was in DKA- because my body needed them, although eating them didn’t do me much good since I had no insulin to use them!

Good luck!
.-= Jonah´s last blog ..Ketosis =-.

To say that any food item is healthier than another is such a broad and misleading generalization that it should be avoided. Good nutrition is as much about how much and with what frequency you consume an item as it is about what the item is. For example, most people would reply in the affirmative when asked if arsenic is a toxin that should not be consumed. But most people are also unaware that arsenic is considered an essential micronutrient. It is not unhealthy per se, but it is toxic when consumed in excessive frequent quantities relative to the body’s need. To make a less extreme example, the popular media has done a fantastic job of labeling trans fats as bad fat. This broad generalization assumes all trans fats are the same in make and function, and that they have the same consequences when consumed. This is false and misleading. For example, the trans fat commonly know as CLA which is often found in animal fats, such as dairy products, has anti-cancer properties. In particular evidence shows that aside from it’s nutritional value, it can help prevent women’s incidence of breast cancer when consumed.

What I am attempting to point out is that a statement like the one that the nutrients one finds in meat can be found in healthier foods is as logically false as the argument that the corn lobby makes when saying that high fructose corn syrup consumption cannot have negative effects from its consumption because it comes from corn, a common vegetable. As I have said, it is as much about frequency and amount, as it is about what is being consumed. After all a ‘healthy’ plant based diet does not ensure weight loss or stifle weight gain. In fact, pigs raised grazing lush pasture will grow to be as fat and big as their counterparts raised on soy and corn.

To come back to the vegetarian argument, (and I just had a discussion with a knowledgeable vegetarian who concurred) a vegetarian who is not approaching that nutrition regime from a healthy standpoint will have cravings for meat because their body knows that what it is lacking can be found in animal products. So the meat craving is not on its face simply a symptom of addiction, but the body sending a message that it is not getting what it ought to.

This argument is not meant to be misinterpreted as me saying that cravings are never a sign of addiction. If I thought that, I could not reasonably or logically make my argument. My hope is more to get across that many of those broad maxims should be avoided. Regrettably our society does a bad job of explaining good healthy eating regimes and misses many of the basic tenants that underly good nutrition; and instead they replace them with misleading and often false maxims that do not help people improve their health at all.

I did not reach your question about simple carbs and I have only addressed the first part of your claim. I also think that the “surefire cure for addiction is abstinence” is also a dangerous overgeneralization that should be avoided. Because, however, my laptop battery is near dead, I will address these topics later.

I think this discussion highlights the ever present need to analyze an issue critically and objectively before one can hope to understand and apply a subjective viewpoint. I hope I have left you with some food for thought – pun intended.

I am not attacking your new regiment – I need to read some more research before I can form a conclusive opinion – all I am suggesting is that you ought be very aware of the signals your body sends to you and evaluate them objectively.