Think Balance

Think Balance
FREE DAILY DIET TIP

By Jennifer Gruenemay, ACE-Certified, LifeScript Staff Writer
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Is it true that you need to balance the carbs you eat with some protein and fat? Absolutely! Pairing protein and fat with carbs makes a lot of sense, whether you’re watching your blood sugar or trying to combat post-meal fatigue. Each carbohydrate food produces its own unique blood sugar reaction in the body (known as its glycemic index) when eaten alone. Many carbohydrates will cause blood sugars to spike and then crash, leaving you tired after your meal. Watermelon is a great example of a food that will cause such a reaction due to its high sugar content. But what if you paired that watermelon with a turkey burger and black beans? The protein and fat in the burger and beans helps balance out the watermelon’s effect on your blood sugar, bringing the glycemic index of the whole meal down to an acceptable level. As a basic rule of thumb, you should always try to balance out your high-carb meals with some amount of protein and/or fat. This will help you sustain your energy all day long without allowing a blood sugar low. That means eating peanut butter with your bananas, cream cheese on your bagels, beans with your rice, cheese with your crackers, meat sauce with your pasta, and the countless other ways you can pair up your foods for balanced meals