Confused? I don’t blame you! What’s important to remember is that severe restriction of carbs may actually be contributing to your hormone fluctuations from insufficient energy intake and interrupting how your pituitary gland and hypothalamus talk to one another AND all carbs are not the same. Let’s start with WHY carbs are essential for hormone health Your body has a preference for which type of fuel it prefers to burn; and that ladies, are carbohydrates. This is based on the simple physiology that carbohydrates (compared to fat or protein) are broken down and utilised for fuel in the most efficient and effective way, and that’s what powers you to function at your best. All day, most days. When you either restrict or severely limit your carbohydrate intake, your body has no alternative but to find another way to fuel it’s operation. The body switches to burning fat (which you may think is a good thing) however simultaneously, decreases its metabolic rate to conserve energy as best as it can. So, by limiting your carbohydrate foods - you’re actually doing the opposite of what you want your body to do! How does this affect my hormones? When your metabolism has been suppressed, your body thinks it’s living in a compromised state and theoretically is working under stress. Stress promotes higher levels of cortisol and adrenaline (stress hormones) which, increase inflammation in your body. Elevated cortisol levels drives your body to seek sugary foods as a way to instantly provide energy to repair stress damage - and so the vicious cycle continues! The key to avoid getting into this pickle, is eating enough carbohydrates to match your energy needs as well as the right types of carbohydrates. What do you mean the RIGHT type of carbs? Let’s get our terminology right - I like to think about carbs as the umbrella term for all sugary and starchy foods. Both starchy and sugary foods breakdown into single sugar molecules that are absorbed and transported around the body via your bloodstream to your brain and muscles where it is used for energy. When your brain and muscles are adequately fed, there is no need to send out panic signals to your pituitary glands that something is wrong. In order to achieve this steady and stable flow of energy to your brain, it's important to remember to choose carbohydrates foods that are:
Ideally, a slow, steady breakdown of carbohydrates in your body every few hours (eg. at meal times) helps your body to stay regulated without having to combat drastic spikes or falls of regulatory hormones like insulin (required for sugar uptake in your muscles), ghrelin (hunger hormone) or dopamine (happy hormone that can be triggered with excess amounts of sugar). Eating foods that have higher amounts of fibre supports a slower digestion time and a steady release of energy into your bloodstream. This also means feeling fuller for longer which reduces the need to crave more food. Below is list of common foods that contain carbohydrates, divided into categories that.  An added bonus of eating high fibre foods is that they generally have high levels of B group vitamins and Vitamin C to help with improving your immunity and reducing inflammation. This means your body able to stay fit to fight off viruses and infections whilst maintaining a happy and harmonious hormone profile.
If you've been feeling lethargic and need guidance on how to incorporate the right carbs for you, drop me a message on my contact page and let's chat! Today I write this as our Victorian Premier announced the end of our sixth (who's counting?) lockdown in Melbourne. Apparently, we broke the world record for the longest time spent living in lockdown throughout the Covid 19 pandemic.
Fair to say, a lot and not a lot has happened since my last post over a year ago. The biggest milestone was becoming a first time mum, and this week we celebrate her first birthday! It's definitely been a tough time not seeing family, friends and enjoying the simple things (I cannot WAIT to walk into Kmart and walk out with what I want...) and the thing I've heard from most of you the fatigue of trying to remain upbeat and looking after yourself whilst trying to survive. The only words I can say to you is: be kind. This sense of standing still is coming to an end and a level of (new) normality will return soon. And so will your sense of self and wellbeing. In amongst learning the ropes of parenthood, The Nutrition Circle has continued to operate predominately by telehealth (online video appointments) which will definitely be here to stay. Many of you have told me that it's convenient to have your appointment during your lunch break and with the flexibility of working from home, this means that you no longer have to jam appointments after hours in your week. I will be returning to face to face appointments in the clinic in the near future, however like everyone else I'm navigating this to ensure your and my safety is held front and centre so please be patient. For now, the plan to is continue to post a few more blogs around nutrition and hormone health with a few non diet tips that I hope will be useful over the next few months. Until then, stay safe. CJ x |
AuthorThe way to Carla's heart is all things food. Follow her thoughts and opinions on the latest food news and myths. Archives
November 2023
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