I was going to ask questions about this page: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/why-we-need-to-eat-carbs/
Anyone up for asking questions about these quotes:
“Carbohydrates should be the body’s main source of energy in a healthy, balanced diet, providing about 4kcal (17kJ) per gram.”
“Research shows diets high in fibre are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer.”
“Significantly reducing carbohydrates from your diet in the long term could put you at increased risk of insufficient intakes of certain nutrients, potentially leading to health problems.”
“Replacing carbohydrates with fats and higher fat sources of protein could increase your intake of saturated fat, which can raise the amount of cholesterol in your blood – a risk factor for heart disease.”
"When you’re low on glucose, the body breaks down stored fat to convert it into energy. This process causes a build-up of ketones in the blood, resulting in ketosis.
Ketosis as a result of a low-carbohydrate diet can be linked, at least in the short term, to headaches, weakness, nausea, dehydration, dizziness and irritability."
(Is this a bad thing? Because it is written like it is, what are the long term effects.)
“In the absence of carbohydrates in the diet, your body will convert protein (or other non-carbohydrate substances) into glucose, so it’s not just carbohydrates that can raise your blood sugar and insulin levels.”
"But there’s not enough evidence that foods that contain wheat are any more likely to cause weight gain than any other food.
Unless you have a diagnosed health condition, such as wheat allergy, wheat sensitivity or coeliac disease, there’s little evidence that cutting out wheat and other grains from your diet would benefit your health.
Grains, especially wholegrains, are an important part of a healthy, balanced diet."
"There’s some evidence that suggests low-carbohydrate diets can lead to weight loss and improvements in blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes in the short term.
But it’s not clear whether the diet is a safe and effective way to manage type 2 diabetes in the long term.
Weight loss from a low-carbohydrate diet may be because of a reduced intake of calories overall and not specifically as a result of eating less carbohydrate.
There also isn’t enough evidence to support the use of low-carbohydrate diets in people with type 1 diabetes."
"Douglas Twenefour, Diabetes UK clinical adviser, says: "When considering a low-carbohydrate diet as an option, people with diabetes should be made aware of possible side effects, such as the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
"We also advise that people with diabetes discuss the amount of carbohydrate to be restricted with their healthcare team.
“The best way to manage diabetes is by taking prescribed medications and by maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of physical activity, and a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat, salt and sugar and rich in fruit and vegetables, without completely cutting out any particular food groups.”"
“It’s recommended that you base all your meals around starchy carbohydrate foods and you try to choose higher fibre wholegrain varieties when you can.”
When I can find the right email address I was going to ask for the scientific evidence for the quotes above to see what they reply. Anyone up for joining me? I don’t think they will take any notice, but we can ask.
