Avoid Bread, Rice and Pasta!

Well hello there, my carb-dodging friends! Today, we’re going to talk about the staples that we all grew up on, that is rice, bread, and pasta. Yes I know they are irresistible, but talk to any expert in the low carb / keto / low carb high fat (LCHF) world and you’ll soon find out how these little guys turn into sugar in our bodies and subsequently raise our blood sugar levels.

First off, let’s start with the basics. Carbs, short for carbohydrates, are a type of macronutrient that our bodies use for energy. They’re found in a variety of foods, including the triple threat we’re talking about today – rice, bread, and pasta.

Now, when we eat carbs, they’re broken down into sugar (glucose) in our digestive system. This sugar is then absorbed into our bloodstream, causing our blood sugar levels to rise. It’s kind of like filling up a gas tank – the more sugar we consume, the more our blood sugar levels go up.

If your body has the choice between burning readily available sugar in the bloodstream or working for its energy and burning body fat, it will take the sugar option every time.

But, why does this matter? Well, high blood sugar levels can lead to a variety of health problems, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. So, it’s important to keep an eye on our carb consumption and how it’s affecting our blood sugar levels.

Now, here’s where things get interesting – not all carbs are created equal. Some carbs are more likely to raise our blood sugar levels than others. And, you guessed it, rice, bread, and pasta fall into the “more likely” category.

Let’s start with rice. White rice, in particular, is a highly processed carb that is quickly broken down into sugar in our digestive system. This means that it raises our blood sugar levels quickly and significantly. You may hear brown rice is a better option, as it’s less processed and has a lower glycemic index (which measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels). Despite the delay, you still end up with the sugar. So no it’s not really a better option.

A single bowl of white rice is the equivalent of eating 16 teaspoons of sugar! I was stunned when I found that out.

Next up, bread. White bread, just like white rice, is a highly processed carb that is quickly broken down into sugar. This means that it raises our blood sugar levels quickly and significantly. Some people will tell you whole grain bread is a better option, as it contains more fiber, which slows down the digestion of carbohydrates and keeps blood sugar levels from skyrocketing. You should get as far away as possible from anyone recommending whole grain or brown bread. It’s all just as bad.

And last, but certainly not least, pasta. Just like rice and bread, pasta is a highly processed carb that is quickly broken down into sugar. And, just like white rice and white bread, it raises our blood sugar levels quickly and significantly. You might also be told whole grain pasta is a better option, as it contains more fiber and is digested more slowly, keeping blood sugar levels from spiking. Don’t buy that for a second, you still end up with the blood sugar hit, so just like bread and rice, avoid pasta at all costs.

So, what can we do to keep our blood sugar levels in check when it comes to these delicious and familiar carbs?

DON’T EAT THEM! , it’s as simple as that.

Notice I say simple, not easy. Giving up these three super villains can be tough. There are work arounds like bread made from things other than grains, blitzing cauliflower and cooking it in butter as a rice substitute (btw butter is back) or peeling zucchinis / courgettes lengthways as pasta sheet replacements are all common tricks of us professional carb dodgers.

In conclusion, rice, bread, and pasta turn into sugar in our bodies and raise our blood sugar levels, preventing us burning body fat.

I gave up all three of these, it was tough at first, but now I don’t miss them one iota and my results speak for themselves. Give me a rib eye steak, topped with eggs and a knob of butter any day of the week, Oh and a side salad to keep the wife happy.

Thanks for reading.