Carbohydrates

image from here

Now that I have explained the problems behind the modern day food pyramid, I wanted to answer some of the questions I get asked about the food "pie" I advocate to my patients.
First up is Carbohydrates. Or more correctly, Complex/Produced/Starchy Carbohydrates. Lots of vegetables such as carrots have a decent amount of carbohydrates as well, but I'm not so concerned about them.

Carbohydrates are needed for energy production, but they are not the only source. Your body can convert fats into energy if it needs to and with our increasing sedentary lives, our bodies need suprisingly little energy to get through an average day.
When we digest carbohydrates they break down into their building blocks, sugar. The sugar is then absorbed causing a spike in blood sugar levels. Your pancreas then has to produce and release insulin to shift the sugar out of your blood before it begins to damage your arteries. If you are using you muscles (say running or lifting weights) the sugar goes there to help produce energy, but if your sitting at a desk or in front of the tv, your body will store the sugar, first in your liver and when that's full, as fat. Thus, a high carbohydrate diet is a high sugar diet and is stressful on the pancreas and so can lead to diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
The humble sandwich isn't looking too healthy now huh?