I usually stay out of these matters, but as we draw closer to November, I feel the need to take a stand. I cannot sit idly by whilst our society shows utter disdain and disrespect for something that was held in such high esteem when I was growing up. How or why something so revered became villainized to the point that folks openly express their disgust is appalling and I won’t stand for it. As you’ve probably guessed, I am of course talking about carbohydrates. With Thanksgiving just a few months off, join my peaceful Pro-cobbler protest against “carb shaming.”
Carbohydrates are one of three macronutrients (along with proteins and fats) that we require in our daily diet. Carbs are the body’s MAIN AND PREFERRED source of energy for your brain, heart, kidneys and central nervous system. They also aid digestion and help us feel full and not over eat. So, why in the heck is something so good for us, treated like a 4-letter word? Because like the Good Book teaches us, too much of a good thing is bad! Carbs are like jet fuel. High-functioning athletes devour these things and thrive off them as they power their muscles when flying and bounding around this world. Look in the mirror time: are we high-functioning athletes? Majority of us are not. So that intake of jet fuel needs to be MUCH less. Why? Because God designed our body to survive. And it’s a blessing and a curse. When the body encounters carbs we are not using, the survival system clicks on and says, “Hey, I’m gonna save this for later.” Guess how the body stores it? AS FAT. So, let’s look back in that mirror: are we consuming jet fuel, used to run like a world-class athlete, only to perform some world-class social media surfing on the couch? Like the ER doctor to the patient with a knife sticking out of his head once said “Well…there’s your problem right there.”
Let’s adjust! Now, we can get into the whole “good carbs” (whole-grains, fruits and veggies) versus “bad carbs” (sweets, white breads, processed flour) thing, but let’s keep it simple, for now. Picture your supper plate like a pie chart. Half of that plate, for the average American, should be carbohydrates. Fruits, vegetables (NO, French fries/baked potatoes are NOT a vegetable), peas, beans, whole-grain rice. Start there. And let’s adjust according to your activity level. Started that new fitness class? You may need to bump up to 60% of the plate. Got an afternoon of Instagram selfie filters ahead of you? Let’s go 40%. Sure, some of you are on carb-restrictive diets, whether you’re a Keto guy or have to adjust for Diabetes. But please don’t mistake a beautiful fuel for a dastardly villain. And understand, this is all SUPER simplified for a news column. I’m happy to talk it out with you anytime. Bring cobbler.
Yours in Health and Christ, Dr. Kirk
