SB/Atkins: Is it the sugar or is it the carbs that hurt?

I know that carbs contain sugars and etcetera. But, it seems that it
all boils down to sugars. Is is that the sugar levels in blood tell
the body not to burn fat? I know that, as a practical matter, we are
supposed to avoid both carbs and sugars. But everyone calls these
diets "low-carb" when, unless I'm misunderstanding, the key to these
diets is really "low-sugar." I am confused...any comments or advice
is appreciated. I did read both books and have looked around the
newsgroup so please don't think I'm just trying to get quick info
without doing the work.

Thanks,

Viv

carbs = sugar, eventually. some quicker, some slower.

vivsavage wrote:
:: I know that carbs contain sugars and etcetera. But, it seems that it
:: all boils down to sugars. Is is that the sugar levels in blood tell
:: the body not to burn fat? I know that, as a practical matter, we are
:: supposed to avoid both carbs and sugars. But everyone calls these
:: diets "low-carb" when, unless I'm misunderstanding, the key to these
:: diets is really "low-sugar." I am confused...any comments or advice
:: is appreciated. I did read both books and have looked around the
:: newsgroup so please don't think I'm just trying to get quick info
:: without doing the work.
::
:: Thanks,
::
:: Viv

Carbs are sugar, just not as simple. So yes, low carb could really be called
low sugar but then nobody would understand that you need to cut back on the
potatoes and rice.

--
JC

Eat less, exercise more.

--
"vivsavage" wrote in message
om...
I know that carbs contain sugars and etcetera. But, it seems that it
all boils down to sugars. Is is that the sugar levels in blood tell
the body not to burn fat? I know that, as a practical matter, we are
supposed to avoid both carbs and sugars. But everyone calls these
diets "low-carb" when, unless I'm misunderstanding, the key to these
diets is really "low-sugar." I am confused...any comments or advice
is appreciated. I did read both books and have looked around the
newsgroup so please don't think I'm just trying to get quick info
without doing the work.

Thanks,

Viv

what they said
"vivsavage" wrote in message
om...
I know that carbs contain sugars and etcetera. But, it seems that it
all boils down to sugars. Is is that the sugar levels in blood tell
the body not to burn fat? I know that, as a practical matter, we are
supposed to avoid both carbs and sugars. But everyone calls these
diets "low-carb" when, unless I'm misunderstanding, the key to these
diets is really "low-sugar." I am confused...any comments or advice
is appreciated. I did read both books and have looked around the
newsgroup so please don't think I'm just trying to get quick info
without doing the work.

Thanks,

Viv

(vivsavage) wrote in message . com...
I know that carbs contain sugars and etcetera. But, it seems that it
all boils down to sugars. Is is that the sugar levels in blood tell
the body not to burn fat? I know that, as a practical matter, we are
supposed to avoid both carbs and sugars. But everyone calls these
diets "low-carb" when, unless I'm misunderstanding, the key to these
diets is really "low-sugar." I am confused...any comments or advice
is appreciated. I did read both books and have looked around the
newsgroup so please don't think I'm just trying to get quick info
without doing the work.

Chemically speaking, all carbs are sugars.

Starch is just a whole bunch of sugar molecules "glued" together into
one big giant molecule. Your body breaks it down into it's parts,
which are simple sugars.

Fiber is a bunch of sugar molecules "glued" together in such a way
that your body can't break it down (it's basically the "wrong" shape),
which is why most low-carb diets say that fiber doesn't "count."

So yes, low-carb = low-sugar, but you have to understand that *all*
carbs are *chemically* sugars, even if they aren't sweet.

You can test this yourself pretty easily. Take a chunk of white
crappy bread and hold it in your mouth until it dissolves. It will
start off tasting like bread, but the enzymes in your saliva will
break down the starch and it will start to taste sweet.

(vivsavage) wrote in message . com...
I know that carbs contain sugars and etcetera. But, it seems that it
all boils down to sugars. Is is that the sugar levels in blood tell
the body not to burn fat? I know that, as a practical matter, we are
supposed to avoid both carbs and sugars. But everyone calls these
diets "low-carb" when, unless I'm misunderstanding, the key to these
diets is really "low-sugar." I am confused...any comments or advice
is appreciated. I did read both books and have looked around the
newsgroup so please don't think I'm just trying to get quick info
without doing the work.

Thanks,

Viv

Carbs are basically food from plants. As opposed to animal products
which are mainly fats and proteins. But some grains like wheat contain
small amounts of proteins (up to about 14% protein) and some fats can
be gotten from certain seeds like canola and olives.

The main carbs that contribute to weight gain a

sugars, especially refined sugars
wheat and grains, especially refined wheat and grains
high starch tubers, potatoes
high sugar fruits, bananas
high sugar fruit juices, orange, apple etc.

The excellent carbs a
whole food vegeteables that are low in starches
some fruits that are low in sugars

All of these, sugars, starches etc. are quickly turned into sugar in
the body. The high levels of blood glucose (sugar) causes the pancreas
to kick out huge amounts of insulin, which triggers the body to turn
the sugars into fat to and store and retain this fat. That is why it
is so hard (impossible) to starve yourself thin on a high-carb diet,
regardless of how hungry you are, if the insulin levels are high, the
body will try to store anything it can get as fat.

On a low carb diet, your body doesn't have to deal with massive
amounts of sugars and massive insulin peaks. It can now burn fat and
it does.

Also... refined carbs cause hunger cravings and binging.

TC

vivsavage wrote:
I know that carbs contain sugars and etcetera. But, it seems that it
all boils down to sugars. Is is that the sugar levels in blood tell
the body not to burn fat? I know that, as a practical matter, we are
supposed to avoid both carbs and sugars. But everyone calls these
diets "low-carb" when, unless I'm misunderstanding, the key to these
diets is really "low-sugar." I am confused...any comments or advice
is appreciated.

The key is both low-sugar and low-starch. Starch is never separated
out on the labels.

The other key is not to overeat low-carb food. Staying low in carbs
does not magically negate excess calories.

--
jamie )

"There's a seeker born every minute."

vivsavage wrote:

Is is that the sugar levels in blood tell the body not to burn fat?

Only indirectly. Insulin suppresses ketosis. If there is low enough
insulin in the blood, ketosis happens. If insulin drops further and
further, ketosis is already going on so there's no added effect.
Dairy carbs directly cause blood sugar, blood sugar directly cause
insulin. Insulin suppresses ketosis. So it's indirect.

I know that, as a practical matter, we are
supposed to avoid both carbs and sugars.

You spelled the word "control" wrong. It isn't a-v-o-i-d. It's
c-o-n-t-r-o-l. They mispelled word means something rather different.

But everyone calls these
diets "low-carb" when, unless I'm misunderstanding, the key to these
diets is really "low-sugar."

You're confusing the chicken and the egg. Carbs ARE sugar once they
are digested. Sugars ARE carbs.