Differing Views of the Carb Controversy--High vs. Lo

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Differing Views of the Carb Controversy That Miss the Point

GREETINGS --

The following article is from the Diabetes In Control newsletter and

is written by its editor. The article identifies two major articles

offering diametircally opposed views of the high-carb/low-carb

viewpoints which are both worth reviewing. However, author also

introduces a subject that in my view is extremely important and is

conspicuous by its absence from both major articles -- portion

control.

wambo1941

Carb Controversy Continues: Recently I received an email concerning

The Partnership for Essential Nutrition. This group consists of 11

agencies who have banded together to deliver what they call the truth

about low carb diets. When I reviewed the media campaigns they were

running, the message seemed to be " Popular low-carbohydrate diets are

leading Americans to poor health and spawning a rip-off industry

of " carb-friendly " products. They also had very bad things to say

about any low carb program, and wanted to show you all their research

to back it up. They even stated that low glycemic eating has no value

at all.

At the same time the Carbohydrate Awareness Council, which is

representative of many multi-disciplined health professionals

thinking wants to talk about the virtues of low carb, low glycemic

eating and how all their research shows that these programs are the

answer to our burgeoning obesity and diabetes problems.

But personally I think they both miss the point. Some years ago, the

ADA had a diabetes diet, this paper was given to newly diagnosed and

uncontrolled patients and they were sent home. We all know that this

did not work. In fact in recent years the ADA has said there is no

one diet for everyone and each patient needs individualized

instruction. So what works for one patient will not work for another.

There are simple problems that all our patients have in common and

both sides of this discussion often overlook. We all know that

calories burned have to be greater than calories in to lose weight

and, Portion Size is typically the most overlooked problem. Our

society has come to believe that bigger is better and so over the

years, portion sizes have increased tremendously.

In 1962 Pepsi introduced the king size bottle. This " giant glass

bottle " held a full 10 ounces, and there were no free refills. This

10 ounce marvel had 130 calories and 31 carbs. In comparison, just

this evening, I was at dinner with my wife and son and during the

course of the meal I was served 5, 20 ounce glasses of soda(ice

occupied ½ of the volume so each glass had 10 ounces of soda).

Although we were drinking diet soda, the table next to us wasn't and

so those 5 glasses of soda were equal to 650 calories and 135 carbs.

When you look at the fat, protein and calories for a steak you find

that recommended serving size is 4 ounces but the most popular size

in a restaurant is 12 ounces. This means that instead of getting the

250 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat that a person should get in

one portion they end up getting 15 grams of saturated fat and 750

calories.

To me this where we should all be working the hardest…..Portion

Control.