First time challengers, I will be at CCF tomorrow, Saturday, at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. if you have any questions about the challenge including how to fill out the point log.

Carbs on Paleo

When you think of the word “carbs”, what comes to mind? Bagels, pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, anything made from grains? On the approved food list for this challenge you will not find any of those foods listed. Paleo_Challenge_Approved_Food_List From here on in, when you hear the word carb, you will learn to think of vegetables and fruit as your source of carbohydrate – and plenty of them!

When you eat grains, breads, pasta, etc. , your blood sugar levels shoot up – the same as if you eat a candy bar. Whenever blood sugar (glucose) levels rise, the pancreas reacts by releasing a surge of insulin into the blood stream. Insulin is a hormone that manages nutrient storage by driving excess blood sugar, fats and protein into the interior of our cells, where they can be used as energy or stored as fat. The more carbohydrates we eat, the more insulin we end up secreting in reaction to the spike in blood sugar. Over time, if you continue to take in carbohydrates in excess, your adipose fat tissues expand and you get fat.

And that’s not all. Excess insulin is a cause of insulin resistance (also known as pre-diabetes) and can lead to Metabolic Syndrome – a cluster of disorders including coronary disease, Type II diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

We do not need grains to survive, let alone thrive. In fact, they are naturally selected to ward off pests, whether they be insects or hominids. I suggest we take the hint and stop eating them.