Weight Loss 101: Are You at a Genetic Disadvantage

Life isn’t fair. But you probably already knew that.

And, unfortunately, genetics are no different, especially when it comes to carbohydrates.

If you’re anything like me, just looking at a potato chip seems to make you gain weight. And if you’re not, you could be like my good friend who can eat ten bags of potato chips without gaining an ounce.

Why Is It That Some of Us Can Eat Carbs to Our Heart’s Content Without Gaining Weight While Others of Us Gain Weight Almost at the Mere Glimpse of a Carb?

Insulin. About 75% of us have a relatively strong insulin response to carbohydrates. Meaning that if we eat too many carbohydrates, our bodies react by making too much insulin. It’s our genetic make-up that determines the number of carbohydrates your body can handle without producing excessive insulin. What happens if your body produces too much insulin? Not only does excess insulin make your blood sugar fall too quickly, thereby resulting in fatigue and hunger for more carbs, it also makes you your body store fat and prohibit the burning of fat. As a result, excess insulin makes you fat, keeps you fat, induces fatigue and makes you crave more carbohydrates. It’s a vicious cycle.

How Can You Tell If You’re Sensitive to Carbohydrates?

At lunchtime, eat a big pasta meal. If you are hungry and ready to take an afternoon siesta three hours later, then you fall into the 75% of the population who are not so genetically lucky.

What’s the Best Way to Lose Weight If You’re Sensitive to Excess Insulin?

Eat a healthy diet of lean protein and low glycemic carbohydrates. These are mostly of the colorful, crunchy come-from-the-ground variety like apples, lettuce, cucumbers, grapes, peppers, and onions. Keep your insulin in check with a healthy, low-glycemic diet. Not only will you not produce excess insulin but you will also have more energy and possibly lose weight as well.