Palm Beach Health Center

Being health-conscious and keeping up with fitness trends is more difficult than ever before. There are two reasons for this: 1) it seems like there’s a new diet spreading like wildfire every day, and 2) the sheer volume of data on the internet means that misinformation spreads just as easily.   One of the best examples of these phenomena is the carb-restriction craze made popular by ketogenic diets. Palm Beach Health Center is here to help you sift through the facts and fictions surrounding carbs. We want to show you how nutrition counseling in West Palm Beach can help you without eliminating all carbs from your diet.  

Understanding Carbohydrates  

What are Carbohydrates?

At its most fundamental level, a carbohydrate is a biomolecule made up of oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. Carbohydrates are essentially natural sugars, starches, and fibers found in most of the food you eat, including:  

• Fruits
• Grains
• Vegetables

When you consume carbohydrates, your body breaks them down to turn them into glucose, a simple sugar that serves as the fuel that gives your body energy.  

Are Carbohydrates Bad for You?

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about carbs as these essential molecules have gained a bad reputation thanks to trendy diets. The truth is, that as with all things, moderation is key. Consuming too many carbs leads to an increase in insulin production, which causes your cells to store glucose in the form of fat – this leads to weight gain and other health issues such as diabetes.   However, a healthy amount of carbohydrates carries many health benefits. These include higher levels of energy and protection against certain diseases.  

How to Eat a Healthy Amount of Carbs?

One of the best tools to determine which carbohydrates will be most beneficial is by seeing how they rank on the glycemic index. The glycemic index is a system developed to assign a value to foods depending on how quickly they can increase your blood glucose level.  Foods ranked highly on the glycemic index are associated with higher energy levels and recovery, but also weight gain. On the other hand, foods ranked low on the glycemic index correlate with weight loss.  

How Does Functional Nutrition Help with My Carb Consumption?

Everyone’s body is different, so instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we take into consideration your specific needs, focusing on the areas in which you could gain the most benefit. Our functional nutrition counseling program in West Palm Beach is designed to give you a dietary solution that fits your lifestyle. We help you chart your carbohydrate consumption and adjust your diet to get the best results.  

Looking for Nutrition Counseling in West Palm Beach, FL?  

A great diet is less about restriction and more about moderation. Palm Beach Health Center can give you the tools to fuel your body effectively and sustainably to maximize your wellbeing. Call us today to get started!