10 replies to this topic

[frederickson]

as an offshoot of the recent discussion of carbs within the food pyramid discussion, i think it would be interesting to hear posters' opinions on their preferred sources of carbs. there seems to be no consensus on this board, even amongst those with a common macronutrient philosophy.

in terms of overall health properties (taking into account nutrient density, disease protection, body composition, sustained energy, cognition, etc.) how would you rank each carbohydrate-heavy category of foods in order from 1 (best) to 5 (worst)? if you would like to comment, how/when do you consume the carbohydrates you choose?

whole grains (oats, brown rice, barley, etc.)

berries (blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, etc.)

other fruits (apples, bananas, pomegranates, papaya, grapes, etc.)

legumes (black beans, kidney beans, etc.)

root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc.)

[Shepard]

berries (blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, etc.)
root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc.)
other fruits (apples, bananas, pomegranates, papaya, grapes, etc.)
legumes (black beans, kidney beans, etc.)
whole grains (oats, brown rice, barley, etc.)

It really depends, though. Some fruits I'd put lower, some higher.

[lynx]

MCTs not technically a carb, but same purpose
Trehalose--fabulous stuff
Wild blueberry--low sugar, massive anti-oxidant blast
Other wild type berries

Edited by lynx, 09 December 2008 - 12:08 AM.

[ajnast4r]

berries (blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, etc.)
other fruits (apples, bananas, pomegranates, papaya, grapes, etc.)
legumes (black beans, kidney beans, etc.)
whole grains (oats, brown rice, barley, etc.)
root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc.)

[frederickson]

my list would be

1.) berries - these are the my primary source of carbs in my low carb diet. eat blueberries, cranberries, and blackberries mixed with aloe vera juice and whey protein in the morning. though the fructose and AGES issue concerns me, i think the amount of nutrients they provide and the fact that we have been eating them throughout the history of our species make them worthwhile.

2.) other fruits - i eat a good deal of papaya and pineapple after meals to add digestion. also eat cherries for their anti-inflammatory properties. generally avoid most other fruits.

3.) legumes - i eat black/red/pinto beans after lifting weights as the fructose in berries/fruits tends to preferentially replenish liver glycogen stores instead of those in the muscle. as far as starchy foods go, beans are the only kind i eat on a regular basis as they rank pretty high in regard to antioxidants and have a good amount of fiber and a reasonable amount of protein (though an incomplete protein).

4.) root vegetables - i eat carrots once in a while, usually with vinegar and ground cloves to blunt the rise in blood sugar. the carotenoids have extremely long half-lives so once in a while is probably sufficient. also eat sweet potatoes after workouts once in a while or if there are no other good options.

5.) whole grains - i really don't eat them at all, except on very rare occasions around my workouts i may have oats or brown rice powder in a shake with whey. i think they have less nutrients than any of the above in general (though i may be wrong) and thus are probably not worth it.

Edited by frederickson, 09 December 2008 - 01:34 AM.

[sthira]

1. Berries (blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, etc.) I eat a lot, everyday: blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries. I split open a young coconut into my vitamix, and blend in the berries nearly every morning. Sometimes into this mix I add tender leafy greens. I don't like or trust any of the canned, packaged protein or green mixes that are on the shelves. I've seen enough of the insides of some food factories to know what I know.

2. Other fruits (apples, bananas, pomegranates, papaya, grapes, etc.) I eat an enormous amount of fruit, and I'm practically a fruitarian. The fructose content doesn't seem to bother me, and I monitor my blood sugar levels, and they generally remain stable despite eating all the high glycemic load fruits like watermelon, pineapple, mangoes, bananas, etc. But I'm open to the fact that I may be wrong, and if you know something, hit me with it. Someone mentioned grapes are high sugar and we shouldn't eat them, but I'm not sure I could or would want to live without grapes. Love them in all their varieties, not just the concords.

3. Root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc.) I generally only eat root vegetables when it gets cold. I believe sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest foods for the human body, although I know this view is controversial. I don't like to cook; I'm lazy and prefer raw. It's so much easier and cleaner.

4. Legumes (black beans, kidney beans, etc.) I limit legumes, but sometimes eat lentils with quinoa, which I also limit. I generally stick to raw, whole foods, and mostly fruit. Although I eat giant salads nearly every other day -- leafy greens, broccoli sprouts, mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, the more the merrier. I use no salad dressings or oils. The veggies taste just fine to me in their natural states.

5. Whole grains (oats, brown rice, barley, etc.) I rarely eat grains. Not that I think there's anything wrong with grains, it's just that I believe you get more nutritional bang for the buck with fruits and vegetables. But maybe once a week I'll eat quinoa, especially when I'm cold.

I tend to eat an almost all raw diet, heavily skewed towards fruitarianism. I eat around 2,000 calories a day, sometimes more, sometimes less. I fast two days a week. I do not eat meat or dairy, and I haven't eaten it for years and years. I limit fat to around 20% (mostly walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds), I do not consume oils of any type, and generally believe even the healthiest, like olive and walnut oils, are generally empty calories, although I know this view is controversial. Hit me. I limit protein to around 15% of my diet, and you'be be amazed at how much protein is actually contained in fruits and vegetables, although it's an incomplete protein, sure. Eat the rainbow, though, and the protein adds up nicely. So I'm very carb-heavy, and I know that's not generally too hip in these parts... But, hey, life is a journey, we're all here to learn, and science does not claim to be true, science only claims to be less false.

[niner]

I'm a little surprised to see legumes generally ranked so low. What is the negative on them?

[suspire]

1. Berries (blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, etc.) I eat a lot, everyday: blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries. I split open a young coconut into my vitamix, and blend in the berries nearly every morning. Sometimes into this mix I add tender leafy greens. I don't like or trust any of the canned, packaged protein or green mixes that are on the shelves. I've seen enough of the insides of some food factories to know what I know.

2. Other fruits (apples, bananas, pomegranates, papaya, grapes, etc.) I eat an enormous amount of fruit, and I'm practically a fruitarian. The fructose content doesn't seem to bother me, and I monitor my blood sugar levels, and they generally remain stable despite eating all the high glycemic load fruits like watermelon, pineapple, mangoes, bananas, etc. But I'm open to the fact that I may be wrong, and if you know something, hit me with it. Someone mentioned grapes are high sugar and we shouldn't eat them, but I'm not sure I could or would want to live without grapes. Love them in all their varieties, not just the concords.

3. Root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc.) I generally only eat root vegetables when it gets cold. I believe sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest foods for the human body, although I know this view is controversial. I don't like to cook; I'm lazy and prefer raw. It's so much easier and cleaner.

4. Legumes (black beans, kidney beans, etc.) I limit legumes, but sometimes eat lentils with quinoa, which I also limit. I generally stick to raw, whole foods, and mostly fruit. Although I eat giant salads nearly every other day -- leafy greens, broccoli sprouts, mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, the more the merrier. I use no salad dressings or oils. The veggies taste just fine to me in their natural states.

5. Whole grains (oats, brown rice, barley, etc.) I rarely eat grains. Not that I think there's anything wrong with grains, it's just that I believe you get more nutritional bang for the buck with fruits and vegetables. But maybe once a week I'll eat quinoa, especially when I'm cold.

I tend to eat an almost all raw diet, heavily skewed towards fruitarianism. I eat around 2,000 calories a day, sometimes more, sometimes less. I fast two days a week. I do not eat meat or dairy, and I haven't eaten it for years and years. I limit fat to around 20% (mostly walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds), I do not consume oils of any type, and generally believe even the healthiest, like olive and walnut oils, are generally empty calories, although I know this view is controversial. Hit me. I limit protein to around 15% of my diet, and you'be be amazed at how much protein is actually contained in fruits and vegetables, although it's an incomplete protein, sure. Eat the rainbow, though, and the protein adds up nicely. So I'm very carb-heavy, and I know that's not generally too hip in these parts... But, hey, life is a journey, we're all here to learn, and science does not claim to be true, science only claims to be less false.

Wow, yeah, you're diet is definitely not the norm on these boards, though I am probably closer to your diet than I am to the paleo-types. That said, I am curious about a few things:

1) When you say you avoid the "green mixes" on the shelves, are you talking about some sort of mixed-green formula/drink and not the "mixed greens" for salads? I am assuming some sort of lack of hygene? I buy the pre-packaged organic mixed greens in the veggie section for salads and the like, and I am hoping there is nothing horribly wrong with them.

2) Do you eat raw sweet potatoes? I was always under the impression that you had to cook the suckers. I am in agreement with you that I believe it is one of the healthier foods out there.

I do like my fruits, too, though not to the levels you do. And I tend to throw them in the blender with whey protein and a little cinnamon to help with the sugar content.

[Brainbox]

I'm a little surprised to see legumes generally ranked so low. What is the negative on them?

Likewise. I'm eating quite a lot of legumes (lentils) so if there is something I should know...

[sthira]

1) When you say you avoid the "green mixes" on the shelves, are you talking about some sort of mixed-green formula/drink and not the "mixed greens" for salads? I am assuming some sort of lack of hygene? I buy the pre-packaged organic mixed greens in the veggie section for salads and the like, and I am hoping there is nothing horribly wrong with them.

2) Do you eat raw sweet potatoes? I was always under the impression that you had to cook the suckers. I am in agreement with you that I believe it is one of the healthier foods out there.

I do like my fruits, too, though not to the levels you do. And I tend to throw them in the blender with whey protein and a little cinnamon to help with the sugar content.

I mean I avoid those mixed green powder substances I see in cans on the health food store shelves. I stick to whole fruits and vegetables. If I don't know what it is, I really prefer not to eat it. But I'm not fanatical about this, and from time to time I eat garbage like of the rest of the human race. I just try to limit it as much as I can. I think the pre-packaged organic mixed greens you find in the veggie section of the grocery store are great.

I don't eat raw sweet potatoes. I cook them. So I am by no means 100% raw, nor do I aspire for that. Raw is a great way to live, but some people get a little wacky with it.

As for legumes, I they're excellent sources of protein, and I eat lentils, small red beans, and others from time to time. No biggie. But I get gassy when eating beans, and to me (and correct me if I'm off here), getting gassy should be an indication that the digestive process has been compromised in some way. Why should we feel uncomfortable or smelly after eating? Also, if you look around in nature, very few animals other than birds and pigs eat legumes. In their mature state, they're indigestible and/or toxic to most mammals. We simply have no capacity for eating legumes in their natural state. We cook them. Or we let them germinate, so they're no longer poison. But some animals eat raw legumes quite greedily -- pigeons, for example, will eat a whole legume plant. Again, though, I'm not setting forth any science or any rules here, I'm just sharing my opinions.

Edited by sthira, 10 December 2008 - 03:49 AM.

[Dmitri]

I'm a little surprised to see legumes generally ranked so low. What is the negative on them?

Likewise. I'm eating quite a lot of legumes (lentils) so if there is something I should know...

I would also like to know, I eat Pinto Beans for the high antioxidant content and protein since the only meats I eat are fish, seafood, and chicken though I don't eat those every day (once or twice a week). I also like eating lentils.