I was conversing with Tray the other day while stretching post a vicious leg work out...
"Ummm Trayyyy...how is there sugar in bread? I mean carbs (as I've come to realize) is sugar right? ....but bread has the most carbs ever... but bread isn't sweet? So what is the DEAL here buddy?!"
It was then I got this long winded, totally reasonable, answer that made me understand why bread sugar (or carbs) is more complex then candy sugar. It actually made me feel pretty good about wanting to have a Reeses Peanut Butter cup next week (even though I probably wont have one because I'm on a roll...oh man, roll...).
So let's start with what a "CARBOHYDRATE" actually is. These pesky little things are found in a lot of different foods - healthy and unhealthy. Last year while on my "I am super woman and I'm going to eat 30g or less a day of carbs" I was shocked to find that there was carbs in EVERYTHING. 8g of carbs in my carrots!? 6g carbs in my broccoli!? It would piss me off when I would eat bell peppers and "waste" 1/3rd of my carb intake on veggies. This is when I started to realize there is a difference between good carbs and bad carbs and carbs are everywhere ---- EVEN IN CELERY (2g carb for a large stalk!)
It's important to note that it's impossible to go without carbs entirely. Carbohydrates are an extremely important part of a healthy diet. They provide the body with glucose, which is converted to energy which supports physical activity....AND WHO DOESN'T LOVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY!!! (sorry for screaming - I'm just a super fan duh...)
Anyways - I get it - carbs are important but then what makes bread is so bad? Why can't I eat a huge baguette like every single day and have it be ok? Boudin is calling my name! SOURDOUGH! I want some fresh SOURDOUGH! It feels bad to eat...it makes me feel bloated and full...but what would actually be happening if I went to Boudin right now and had like 5 sourdough loaves of bread?
What exactly happens to our body when we 'carb binge'?
Falling victim to the carb binge once or twice (haha I wish!) in my time - I decided to investigate WTF is actually happening to me post the hoagie roll (and ice cream sandwich afterwards eeek!) went down the pipes. So right after the super awesome spongy loaf and cold counterpart - my pancreas is then kicked into overdrive and sending a flood of insulin to try to sop up the excess glucose that went rushing through my bloodstream because of my binge. The glucose is actually really good muscle fuel when it's IN the muscles but toxic sludge when it sticks around in my bloodstream. Since my body is a smart body ;) it knows that this stuff is no bueno and then does everything it can to get it out of there. This insulin then creates a see-saw effect. If there is room, the sugar can go into the muscles. If there is no more room (which is usually the case), it is turned into fat cells where it is stored - as... fat! gaaaaaspppp! My body thinks of this as a life threatening situation and stresses to achieve homeostasis by releasing adrenaline. This explains the heart racing, the uncomfortable feeling, sweating, shakes, flushed, spastic...etc. All this and it's only been an hour to an hour and 1/2 after the co-workers birthday carrot cake!
By about 6:00 PM after this fake late afternoon birthday shin dig, a tired feeling comes over me. The glucose has left my bloodstream and I begin to feel sluggish. THE SUGAR CRASH! I am beginning to think maybe this is the end of my sugar binge side effects but it's actually far from over. My immune system has been sent into a tail spin. The cough that is going around the office, the germs at the super market or at the gym (cause you know, I went there to try to work off extra calories on the treadmill...) I'm super susceptible to sickness! My immune system is in overdrive working with the sugar I overloaded my body with and not paying attention to fighting the germs around me! In addition, that night - I sleep like shit. Literally, tossing and turning all night, waking up once or twice throughout the evening. I roll out of bed feeling crappy and sluggish the next day. A carb binge, and the sugar intake from it, can stay in your system for more than 24 hours. UMPH. WHYYYYY?!!
Now that you feel super great about that cupcake you had today, don't worry too too much. Again, our bodies are smart (especially mine haha) and with a good metabolism: a piece of cake or a celebratory happy hour will not kill you; however - it is good to know what the heck is happening. This is also provides you a good insight as to why balance is key and why going overboard is never good for your body. It happens...but it's harmful.
There are a variety of reasons as to why we crave certain things. The most obvious is usually due to a brain connection: a memory, happy feelings or a good thought associated with the Hans Homemade Ice Cream shop or the Big Stick Popsicles that you had when you were in the after school program...etc. I have many of these. My immediate past was full of treats. My ex-boyfriend LOVED sweets and always enjoyed dessert and cakes and ice cream and cookies... It seems when I'm down and out, I immediately think of the treats we used to share together that made us so happy then. I want to feel this way and have these good memories back...so I have to work hard to resist the temptation. The second reason for cravings is from deficiencies. If we're low in amino acids we can crave foods. Depending on what we're "low" on - this effects our cravings. For instance, if we're low in L-tryptophan (which produces serotonin) you may have an afternoon craving for carbohydrates, alcohol or drugs (haha) vs. being low in endorphins which might make you crave comforting or numbing treats.
So why did Tray make me feel better about eating a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup? Well, at the end of the day - Simple sugars are broken down and digested very quickly. These simple sugars (sugar, fruit juice, milk, yogurt, candy, maple syrup...etc.) contain very few essential vitamins and minerals. Does this mean I should I go to Target and grab a bag of Cadbury Creme Eggs for .33 cents on their post Easter special isle? (YES, .33 cents...dammit...) No...but if I DID partake in a nice treat I would be able to work it off with some good 'ole cardio easily. If I had a bunch of complex carbohydrates (whole grain breads, oatmeal, legumes, brown rice, wheat pasta...etc.) it will be a bit harder to get rid of. Sure, healthy complex carbs are the body's preferred source of energy; however, they take longer to digest and are packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals. They like stick around a bit more trying to figure out where to go and what to do within your system. No - Cadbury Creme Eggs are not better than whole wheat pasta; however, they all work differently within your body.
I'm going to repeat this to myself and hope it works. Asparagus tastes like chocolate! Asparagus tastes like chocolate! Asparagus tastes like chocolate! Asparagus tastes like chocolate! Asparagus tastes like chocolate! Asparag....
Oh 85 degrees Mango bread - you're so good.
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