A reversal on carbs

[Islander]

By Marni Jameson, Special to the Los Angeles Times
December 20, 2010

Fat was once the devil. Now more nutritionists are pointing accusingly at sugar and refined grains.

Most people can count calories. Many have a clue about where fat lurks in their diets. However, fewer give carbohydrates much thought, or know why they should.

But a growing number of top nutritional scientists blame excessive carbohydrates — not fat — for America's ills. They say cutting carbohydrates is the key to reversing obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

"Fat is not the problem," says Dr. Walter Willett, chairman of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. "If Americans could eliminate sugary beverages, potatoes, white bread, pasta, white rice and sugary snacks, we would wipe out almost all the problems we have with weight and diabetes and other metabolic diseases."

It's a confusing message. For years we've been fed the line that eating fat would make us fat and lead to chronic illnesses. "Dietary fat used to be public enemy No. 1," says Dr. Edward Saltzman, associate professor of nutrition and medicine at Tufts University. "Now a growing and convincing body of science is pointing the finger at carbs, especially those containing refined flour and sugar."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-...5.story?page=1

[Islander]

Look at the date. This is not exactly news...but the word sure has not gotten out to the masses! Once major food purveyors have gotten aboard the lowfat bandwagon, what will it take to change this Zeitgeist?

[Pattypans]

I weaned myself off potatoes (and I have some heavy-duty Irish blood, which I think helped make potatoes my second-favorite starch, after really good whole wheat bread.) Yesterday at my organic coop pick-up I saw potatoes, which they almost never have. I hadn't ordered any, but I have to admit that almost as an afterthought I took a look at them a bit longingly. But then I realized that I don't really miss them that much.

I eat quinoa a few times a month, but I do have two items in the carb department that I eat regularly: an excellent whole wheat bread (except it's not organic) with only 3 or 4 total ingredients, and my homemade oat/coconut milk. Sigh.

[Islander]

A whole baked potato, with skin/jacket, smothered in butter and slathered with sour cream, is not a bad choice every now and then.

[Pattypans]

Mmmmm...Can't find sour cream here. My DIL knows how to make it from cream, but I've never tried it.

[Islander]

Well, allow me to say that you have a lovely treat in store! Look, something to live for!