We can understand a lot more about the benefits of incorporating good healthy fat sources into our diets. Fat stands an excellent fuel source when we know how to tap into it. Compared to carbohydrates, fats act more like a slow but clean-burning fuel. The task for us then becomes getting the body to use that fuel first when we get physically active or do heavy cognitive work like researching and writing, rather than the glucose stores that, when used unstrategically, burn quick and dirty and result in a severe crash once depleted. The body and particularly the brain loves to feed on fat sources. Unfortunately, if we remain unaware of how the body compartmentalizes and prioritizes fuel sources, we continue a high-carb intake because of the immediate energy spike we receive. This practice has its places when we leverage it for emergencies, but it has long term consequences, such as dependency, diabetes, and inflammation.
Until we train the body to switch fuel at appropriate times, we remain unable to avoid crashing at the end of our carb high.
Conventional perspective causes us to ask: Why would we want to eat more fat? Wouldn’t that compound the problem? Well, here lies the challenge. When you eat excessive carbs in the form of sugar, starches, and fibers, we negate body ability to use the fat energy stores we have. Moreover, because we can only use a small amount of glucose (sugar) at any given time, leaving the body to store the excess in the form of fat stores. Until we train the body to switch fuel at appropriate times, we remain unable to avoid crashing at the end of our carb high. Nonetheless, we can take steps towards getting the body to effectively use its fuel sources for our bodies and brains to function and feel optimal when we need them.
We can begin today by mindfully switching out carbs for proteins and good fat sources immediately when hunger sets into our body. For the first two weeks, this will send a new signal to the body that it’s time to stop relying solely on the carb for fuel and to use its stores. Because of this reduction in carbs (not necessarily calories because we seek a change first due to the quality vs. the quantity of food), you will notice excess weight from bloating and inflammation melting away. When consuming too many carbs, the body tends to hold excess water but loses the need after a reduction. Over the following two weeks, you will notice the cravings noticeably disappear, among other benefits, because the body has learned to partition its fuel and rely mostly on fat stores. Of course, it will continue as you begin to tweak your diet and behavior of the next following month to suit your particular needs, but the first 21 days give us the foundation we need to build the body and brains we want and deserve.
Next Blog: “Fats: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: What to eat and avoid for optimal body and brain function.”
References
“Fats 101: Optimal Fat Choices.” My Gymnastic Bodies, https://my.gymnasticbodies.com/#series/thrive/2/lesson.
Sisson, Mark D. The Primal Blueprint : The Definitive Guide to Living an Awesome Modern Life. 3rd edition. ed. Oxnard, CA: Primal Blueprint Pub., 2016.
The first 21 days will give us the foundation we need to build the body and brains we want and deserve. Join my mailing list to learn more and to recieve my free ebook: 3 Movements for Energy, Calm and Immunity
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