What Is Carbohydrate Sensitivity?

Everybody’s different.  And to me, that’s what makes the world go ‘round. 

We look different, we think differently, we have different values, we come from different cultural backgrounds, our opinions differ vastly, and of course, our bodies are all different.  These differences are beautiful.  The fact that we look different and think differently is truly one of the most interesting and wonderful things about life.  It’s my observation that those who have a deep respect for our differences seem to enjoy life on a deeper level.  It seems that we’re not supposed to be the same.  Womens health wellness celebrates our unique differences.

And when it comes to food, we all have different sensitivities to different carbohydrates.  What do I mean by “carbohydrate sensitivity”?

Let’s take white bread as an example.  We know that eating white bread will spike our blood sugar to the moon.  But some people are super sensitive to white bread.  Much more sensitive than most people.  The blood sugar rush that they experience is much, much stronger.  And the physical and emotional cravings that follow are uncontrollable for them.  I mean literally, uncontrollable.  They have what can be called an extreme carbohydrate sensitivity to white bread.

And some people have an extreme carbohydrate sensitivity to pasta.  And some to cake or deserts.  And some to anything with sugar in it.

I remember several years ago, I was watching a television interview with Luther Vandross.  Just in case you haven’t heard of him, Luther was a great classic R&B singer who was popular in the 80’s and 90’s.  He sold over 25 million records and won 8 Grammy awards for his smooth R&B vocals.  Over the years, I had noticed that his weight fluctuated quite drastically.  When I first saw him sing back in the 80’s, he was pretty heavy – a pretty big guy.  Just a couple years later, he was thin.  Then the next time I saw him, he was very heavy again – and then thin again.  During this more recent interview, he was the thinnest I had ever seen him.  The interviewer asked him how he lost the weight.  His response was all about his extreme carbohydrate sensitivity.  I was blown away by what he said.

For Luther Vandross, bad carbs were as powerful as any drug.  If he ate any bad carb, the physical cravings that followed were so extreme that he mentally could not control them.  He explained that once he lost control, just like a drug user with an addiction, the cravings were unstoppable.  It wasn’t that he didn’t have will power, it was because he was born with an extreme carbohydrate sensitivity.  Once he fully understood this, he found out that there are lots of people with this condition.  With the help of doctors and nutritionists, he came to the conclusion that he was unable to EVER eat a bad carb.  He knew that if he did, he might not regain control for months – or even years – because that was the pattern of his entire life.  Luther had gained and lost over 100 pounds 14 times.  That’s how extreme his carbohydrate sensitivity was.

He went on to explain that nutritional science is only beginning to understand this condition.  And that extreme carbohydrate sensitivity is actually quite common.  But people who don’t have a strong carbohydrate sensitivity often assume those who can’t control their cravings simply lack will power – which of course, is not the case.  It’s a chemical and physical condition that seems to be genetic.

Unfortunately, by the time Luther fully understood this, the Blood Sugar Roller Coaster he’d been riding for years had already ravaged his internal organs and body systems.  Not only was he struggling with diabetes by then, but his general health declined very rapidly shortly after that television interview.  He suffered a stroke in 2003 and he never fully recovered.  Although he won the 2004 Grammy for ‘Song of the Year’, he was seldom seen in public before his death in 2005.  Apparently, his actual cause of death was difficult to determine because so many of his body systems had broken down.  Luther Vandross was only 54 years old when he passed.

I’m telling this story because Luther was trying to spread the word about extreme carbohydrate sensitivity.  And we now know that everyone has varying degrees of carbohydrate sensitivity.  You may not have an extreme sensitivity, but you might be more sensitive to certain bad carbs than others. 

Womens health wellness knows that everybody’s different and every BODY is different.

This is one of the reasons why I don’t recommend studying the glycemic index.   The glycemic index is basically a chart that ranks carbohydrates according to their effect on our blood glucose levels.  Sounds like a good thing to follow – except that the glycemic index does not take into account that everyone is different.  Our sensitivities to various carbohydrates vary from person to person and from food to food.  Plus, as we’ve learned, a carbohydrates’ affect on our blood sugar level is greatly influenced by food combinations.  We know that good protein, good fat, micronutrients in Super Foods and fiber slows this process.  Food combinations make a huge difference.

So because we are all different, I suggest ignoring the glycemic index.  Stick to the Super Foods and eat in the combinations we’ve been discussing.  Keep it simple so that you will succeed.

But speaking of food combinations, here’s how to tweak your own personal balance for good carbs, good proteins and good fats.  Food Symmetry suggests that each of your mini meals consists of a fist size serving of good carbs, a fist size serving of good protein, and a thumb size serving of good fat.  But since everyone’s carbohydrate sensitivity is different, you can make your own adjustments.

For example, I have a stronger carbohydrate sensitivity than my wife.  My siblings and my parents tend to be pretty heavy.  My wife and her family don’t have a strong tendency to be overweight.  So when it comes to my personal Food Symmetry, I make each of my carb servings just a little smaller than my fist and my protein servings just a little bigger than my fist.  To account for my wife’s Food Symmetry, her carb servings are slightly bigger than her fist and her protein servings are a little smaller.  These are just minor personal adjustments in the balance between good carbs and good proteins.  With a little self observation, you’ll know what’s best for you.  Just pay attention to the mind body connection taking place within you.

In addition to your carbohydrate sensitivities, what if you also have weight loss goals?  It's all about eating healthy to lose weight. Here’s what NOT to do.  Don’t eat less by restricting your calories.  It’s a known fact that when you’re hungry all the time, your cravings will get out of control and you’ll binge.  Plus, you won’t be getting proper nutrition.  And here’s what else NOT to do.  NEVER, EVER think in terms of restricting your carbohydrates like these crazy, unhealthy diets that are out there.  The Super Food carbohydrates are the key to your excellent health.  While practicing Food Symmetry, you’ll find that your body will migrate to your ideal weight naturally.  If you want to speed this process, you can temporarily avoid whole grains and focus on getting your good carbs from vegetables and raw fruit only.  So, in order to lose weight, make slight adjustments in your personal Food Symmetry, and increase the intensity of your exercise routine.  For most everyone, it’s that simple.

Womens health wellness is about promoting health.  Because when we experience optimal health we also experience physical and emotional wellness, and even spiritual wellness!

(Editor’s note: This article mentions an amazing food program called “Food Symmetry”.  Learn all about it in the Cup-Of-Life Newsletter.)