Carbohydrate has gotten beaten up in the press by protein over the last few decades.  Unfortunately, carbohydrates bad reputation is undeserved.  In fact, registered dietitians will tell you that at least 60% of your diet should come from carbohydrate.  Carbohydrate provides energy for your body.  It is like gasoline to your car.  Your body can run on other fuel but carbohydrate is its favorite.

Carbohydrate is also the only source of fuel that your brain is able to utilize.  Your brain cannot utilize fat or protein for energy.  Therefore, if you are not getting enough carbohydrate in your diet, then it is highly likely that your thinking will not be at its optimum.

Do you want your body to burn fat? Well you had better consume carbohydrate.  It is a physiologic fact that you cannot process fat without the presence of carbohydrate.  Fat burns in a flame of carbohydrate.  This is a basic fact that is taught in physiology class.  If you do not have carbohydrate present the body, the body will be incapable of metabolizing fat.

When your body is low on carbohydrate, it's equivalent to running your car around with an empty gas tank.  The fumes in your gas tank may get you where you want to go some of the time but other times you may find yourself out of gas.  

Tune in next week and we will discuss why protein seems to have an advantage over carbohydrate.